Middle East News updates

News SG

Egypt's Muslim Brothers brand Israel a 'cancer'

Mehdi Akef says he expects demise of Israel soon, its peace deal with Egypt should be put to referendum.

CAIRO - Israel is a "cancer" in the Middle East and its peace deal with Egypt should be submitted to a referendum, the leader of Egypt's Muslim Brothers said in an interview published Thursday.

"I declared that we will not recognize Israel which is an alien entity in the region. And we expect the demise of this cancer soon...," Mohammed Mehdi Akef told the state-owned English language Ahram Weekly.

Egypt signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1979, becoming the first Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.

Islamists opposed to the deal assassinated President Anwar Sadat in 1981 for signing the Camp David accord and opposition to the normalisation of relations with Israel remains strong in Egypt.

Akef stopped short of demanding the peace agreement be scrapped but suggested it should be submitted to a popular referendum.

"That is for the people to decide... If I had the power I would put it to the people," he said.

The banned but tolerated Brotherhood won 20 percent of the seats in the 454-strong parliament, making it the largest opposition bloc in the house.

News SG

Err... too long to summarize. Mr. Green

News SG

Iran 'could go nuclear within three years'

Iran 'could go nuclear within three years'
By Con Coughlin, Defence and Security Editor
(Filed: 16/01/2006)

Iranian scientists are expected to start work this week on the highly technical task of enriching tons of uranium to a level where it could be used in the production of atomic weapons, say the latest reports received by western intelligence agencies.

The work is to be undertaken at the top-secret Natanz uranium enrichment facility 90 miles north-east of the capital, Teheran.

The very existence of the plant was concealed from the outside world until two years ago, when an Iranian exile group produced details of its work.

Intelligence sources say Iran will begin feeding converted uranium into 164 centrifuges at Natanz this week. That could enable it to create enriched uranium of sufficient quality for nuclear weapons production within three years.

Previous estimates of the minimum time required had ranged from five to 10 years.

Iran's unilateral decision to resume enrichment is by far the most critical development in its latest stand-off with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations-sponsored body responsible for enforcing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

As a signatory to the NPT, Iran is obliged to provide the IAEA with a comprehensive breakdown of all its nuclear activity, which Teheran insists is purely for the development of an indigenous nuclear power industry - despite Iran having one of the world's largest known oil reserves.

But the discrepancies that have appeared in declarations to IAEA inspectors - which included concealing the existence of the Natanz complex - have increased suspicions that Iran is well advanced in its clandestine programme to build a nuclear weapon.

Nuclear experts working for the intelligence agencies have concluded that it now has the resources necessary for developing a nuclear weapon.

"Iran has spent the past 20 years scouring the world to acquire all the means of production and materials necessary for building nuclear weapons," a senior western intelligence officer told The Daily Telegraph.

"The big intelligence debate now is not whether Iran can build a bomb, but how long it will take them to build it."

Despite concerted attempts by western intelligence to prevent them acquiring nuclear equipment, the Iranians have managed to import key components.

Latest reports suggest that Iran has at least 1,000 tons of uranium -"yellowcake", the oxide of uranium that can be enriched to create weapons-grade uranium.

It was acquired from Niger and South Africa in the late 1990s. When processed, that quantity of yellowcake could provide enough material for five nuclear bombs.

The Iranians have also obtained key components for processing the yellowcake and technical expertise from A Q Khan, the controversial scientist regarded as being the "father" of Pakistan's nuclear bomb.

By far the most alarming acquisition from Pakistan, according to western intelligence assessments, is the P2 centrifuge, the highly sophisticated device necessary for enriching uranium to weapons grade.

In order to reach the advanced stage needed for building an atomic weapon, it is necessary to connect a number of centrifuges so that they form a "cascade".

When they were finally allowed to visit Natanz two years ago, IAEA inspectors were alarmed to discover that the Iranians had managed to construct a cascade. This comprises 164 centrifuges, which are based on Pakistan's P2 design.

Any doubts about the effectiveness of the devices were banished when soil samples taken from the site by IAEA inspectors showed traces of weapons-grade uranium.

If the nuclear programme were genuinely aimed at developing nuclear power, there would be no need to process weapons-grade uranium.

Asked to explain the soil samples, the Iranians provided the rather lame excuse that the traces had inadvertently been imported from an unidentified foreign power - believed to be Pakistan - when the centrifuges were purchased.

This is only one of the many glaring inconsistencies that have appeared in the Iranians' submissions to the IAEA, which has been powerless to prevent their relentless pursuit of nuclear technology.

As a consequence Iran now has all the means of production and materials to proceed to the final weapons stage.

That process will begin this week when scientists resume work on processing uranium to weapons grade at Natanz.

Much of the preparatory work has already been done at the Isfahan nuclear conversion plant.

Work resumed there last year when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the removal of IAEA seals, unilaterally breaking the Paris Accord of November 2004.

This was negotiated with the European Union as Iran promised to suspend its nuclear activities until IAEA inspectors had satisfied themselves that Teheran's nuclear intentions were purely peaceful.

Isfahan has the capacity to process 300 tons of yellowcake a year, and before work was suspended in 2004 it was known that 37 tons had been developed to make uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas. UF6 is a key component in achieving weapons grade.

Once the UF6 is produced, it is transferred to Natanz where it is fed into the centrifuges to enrich uranium to weapons grade.

Exactly how much UF6 has been produced since the Isfahan seals were removed last August is unknown, although conservative intelligence estimates suggest there are sufficient stocks of UF6 for 30 kilos of enriched uranium. The warhead used at Hiroshima contained 25 kilos.

The only question remaining for western intelligence is to assess exactly how long it will take the Iranians to complete the process.

"We just don't know how efficient the Natanz plant is at enriching uranium," said an intelligence official.

"This is a very complex and highly sophisticated process that requires a great deal of technical ability."

IAEA officials have estimated that it will take Iran three years to produce weapons-grade uranium once the Natanz plant resumes work.

Given that its Shahab-3 ballistic missile system has the range to hit southern Europe, it is clear that the threat posed by Teheran's hard-line regime is significant and urgent.

News SG

IRAN COULD ACHIEVE NUKE CAPABILITY IN 2006

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iran has acquired sufficient technology and equipment to produce nuclear weapons, a report said.

A report published by the U.S. Army War College asserted that Iran has virtually completed the nuclear fuel cycle and was ready to assemble weapons. The report, financed by the Defense Department, said Iran could reach nuclear weapons capability as early as 2006.

"The truth is that Iran soon can and will get a bomb option," the report, entitled "Getting Ready for a Nuclear-Ready Iran," said. "All Iranian engineers need is a bit more time: 1 to 4 years at most."

The report, released in late 2005, differed significantly from CIA and State Department estimates on Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Iran would need another decade to produce nuclear weapons.

News SG

Irans president sees final war between Muslims, West

Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Jan. 21 Hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told senior leaders of a radical Palestinian group in Damascus on Friday that the Middle East conflict has become the locus of the final war between Muslims and the West, Irans official news agency, IRNA, reported.

Ahmadinejad, who was speaking on the second day of his two-day trip to Syria, told the leaders of Hamas, Today, victory in Palestine has become a matter of life and death for the Islamic world and for Global Arrogance (the West).

The Iranian president urged the Palestinians to reject moves such as Israels withdrawal from Gaza.

Some point to the withdrawal of the occupiers from parts of Palestine, but this event has already been greatly detrimental to Muslims, Ahmadinejad said.

If the occupiers stay on even one inch of Palestinian soil, the goal of Palestine will not be realised, Ahmadinejad told Hamas leaders, who included Khalid Mashal, the head of the groups political bureau.

We must not let our guard down now for even one moment against the enemies plots. Belittling the goal of Palestine is a great plot that the enemies are after, he said.

Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust a myth and said that Israel must be wiped off the map.

News SG

Iran threatens to start industrial-scale nuclear works
Mon. 23 Jan 2006
Iran Focus

London, Jan. 23 Irans top nuclear negotiator warned the West on Sunday that the Islamic Republic would resume uranium enrichment on an industrial scale if the international dispute over its suspected nuclear weapons work was referred to the United Nations Security Council.

In an interview with the Financial Times published online, Larijani, secretary-general of the powerful Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said that the possibility of resuming industrial-scale enrichment was open for discussion with European states.

Britain, France, and Germany the European Union 3 have led negotiations with Tehran over its sensitive nuclear activities since 2003.

Larijani said that Tehran would begin uranium enrichment if the negotiations route was closed. Everything depends on the way we are treated. If the negotiating route is open, we prefer to reach a conclusion through talks. But if this route is closed, we are obliged to follow up our other scenario.

The Additional Protocol and the suspension were approved by the Majlis. If we are referred to the Security Council, the government is obliged by the Majlis to lift all voluntary measures including the Additional Protocol, he said.

Asked whether that meant that Iran would resume nuclear fuel production and industrial enrichment, Larijani replied, Yes.

He said that the Russian proposal which involves Iran enriching uranium exclusively on Russian soil was incomplete. There are two issues to be considered. One is Irans right to enrichment, and the other is non-diversion. Any solution should be consistent with these considerations. The scale, extent and timing can all be discussed.

Larijani said that there should be a limit to inspections of Iranian military sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency. In principle, we cannot open such doors to everyone. Such issues cant be raised daily, he said.

Irans top national security official vowed that Tehran would never give in to international pressure and back down in its nuclear drive. If they think any government in Iran could give up nuclear technology, they are mistaken. Look at the government of Mohammad Khatami many of these nuclear activities began when he was president.

News SG

Israel 'has to withdraw further'

Israel will have to withdraw from further parts of the West Bank, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said.

In his first policy speech as interim leader, he said the main challenge ahead was to shape Israel's borders for good to ensure a Jewish majority.

It could not continue to control parts with a Palestinian majority, but would keep its main settlements, he said.

Mr Olmert is also acting as chair of Kadima, a party formed by PM Ariel Sharon before he suffered a stroke.

The party intends to run in Israeli general elections on 28 March on a platform of withdrawal from occupied territory.

'Keeping Jerusalem'

Mr Olmert told a conference at Herzliya that Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank last year was a turning point.

"In order to ensure the existence of a Jewish national home, we will not be able to continue ruling over the territories in which the majority of the Palestinian population lives," he said.

However, Mr Olmert said that Israel would keep security zones, the main settlement blocs, and places important to the Jewish people, such as Jerusalem.

"There can be no Jewish state without Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty," he said.

He also hinted that Israel would act alone to set a border in the West Bank if talks failed.

In the speech, Mr Olmert urged the full implementation of a US-backed peace "road map".

He also spoke of the importance of the Palestinian poll on Wednesday.

Mr Olmert described it as a step towards their objective of reaching national independence, but said he hoped that Palestinians would not choose "extremists".

Sharon ally

Palestinians reacted with calls on Israel "to abandon the ways of unilateralism".

"The Palestinian Authority is fully committed to peacemaking," negotiator Saeb Erekat added.

Settlement supporters expressed anger at the suggestion of a further withdrawal from parts of the West Bank.

"Olmert is the beginning of the end of the state of Israel," said right-wing lawmaker Aryeh Eldad.

Correspondents say Mr Olmert's comments were in line with Mr Sharon's statements before his stroke and subsequent coma earlier this month.

Mr Olmert has been Mr Sharon's closest political ally for most of the past decade and is seen as the politician most likely to continue his legacy.

Mr Olmert has spoken previously of the need for a pullback from the West Bank that would keep major settler blocs in the Jewish state.

News SG

IRAN REACHES INDIGENOUS NUKE CAPABILITY

JERUSALEM [MENL] -- Iran might have already reached the point of no longer requiring foreign assistance to advance in its nuclear weapons program.

A leading Israeli defense figure asserted that Iran has already acquired the basis for nuclear weapons development and production. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said Iran could produce and assemble nuclear weapons without foreign assistance.

"I think they have passed this stage already," Steinitz said in an interview with the independent Arutz-7 radio. "Iran is a large country, and just like the United States built a bomb without help in 1945, Iran can do the same in 2006."

Steinitz, who receives weekly briefings from the nation's intelligence services, disputed an assertion by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz regarding Iran. Recently, Halutz told Steinitz's Knesset panel that Iran could reach "the point of no return" in its nuclear weapons program by March 2006.

Twisted Evil

News SG

Eldad Warns of Planned Division of Jerusalem
22:45 Jan 24, '06 / 24 Tevet 5766

(IsraelNN.com) MK (National Union) Prof. Aryeh Eldad responded to Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmerts Herzliya Conference address, stating, Olmert marks the beginning of Israels end.

Prof. Eldad added, If we are unable to remain in areas inhabited by Palestinian Authority (PA) residents, we will very quickly be saying goodbye to the Galilee, the Triangle, the Negev and portions of Jerusalem.

Mad Mad

Ito_^ SG

i hope to have the chance of visiting there someday.

News SG

Go there quickly before the division starts.

Ito_^ SG

ok.. lemme rephase it. i wish to.. Laughing

News SG

Laughing I know...

News SG

Friday, January 27, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU
Hamas divulges
'peace initiative'
Leader reveals to WND truce plan,
but explains aim is to destroy Israel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 27, 2006
12:27 p.m. Eastern

By Aaron Klein

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM Hamas, which catapulted to power in this week's Palestinian elections, will soon make public a "peace initiative" in which it will offer to trade strategic land with Israel, cease attempts to capture parts of Jerusalem, and sign a 10-year renewable cease-fire with the Jewish state, a top Hamas leader told WorldNetDaily during an exclusive interview.

But the Hamas leader said the plan, which he justified using Islamic tradition, is a temporary machination to ease international and U.S. hostility toward his group in hopes of receiving financial assistance, explaining Hamas will not give up its goal of destroying Israel.

"We will not take any initiative to change the way of life of the Palestinian people," said the senior Hamas official, who spoke to WND on condition his name be withheld, since he said he was "revealing confidential operative information.

"We will not impose the Islamic laws and we will not escalate our fight against Israel," he said. "We will even be ready to accept an interim long-term agreement that will give the Palestinian people an independent state on most of the territories occupied in 1967. I tell you we will surprise everyone with our new attitude."

Hamas won this week's historic Palestinian parliamentary elections by a large margin. Hamas chief Mahmoud al-Zahar told WorldNetDaily yesterday his terror group will seek to create a coalition with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' currently ruling Fatah Party.

But Fatah officials said Abbas' party will bolt the government and place itself in the opposition, making Hamas the main Palestinian powerbroker.

"Hamas won the elections. We respect that and will make way for them to form the Palestinian government, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told WND.

The top Hamas leader told WorldNetDaily his group held a series of meetings the past few months in which it decided if Hamas wins elections it will offer Israel a temporary truce during which the group will build an interim Palestinian state.

"We will be ready for a long interim agreement based on a period of cease-fire that can go to 10 or even 15 years like it was done by the Prophet Muhammad with the enemies of the Muslims. During this period we will build our state on the strong basis of honor and with an honest administration," the top Hamas leader said.

Hamas officials, including overall Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, who resides in Syria, formulated a "peace proposal" they said would be acceptable to their group in which the Palestinians would offer to trade certain lands with Israel, the top Hamas official revealed.

"With the territories we will be ready to discuss the possibility that the three big settlement compounds will remain under the power of the occupation (Israel) and in exchange we will receive territories for the Palestinian independent state," said the Hamas leader.

The leader told WND the "three settlements" he was referring to are Ariel and Gush Etzion, two large regions in the West Bank that contain many of the area's major Jewish communities, and western and peripheral sections of Jerusalem, which he said Hamas considers "Israeli settlements."

Hamas, in exchange, would want the eastern sections of Jerusalem, the parts of the southern Israeli Negev desert that border the Gaza Strip and the Jordan Valley, which extends from outside Jerusalem toward Jordan and encompasses most of Israel's major water supplies.

The Hamas official said his group would be willing to compromise on its territorial demands.

"We are most interested in Jerusalem and the Negev," the leader said.

The leader then justified the Hamas "peace plan" using Islamic history.

"The Muslim hero Saladin gave up land when he gave Acco to the Crusaders in order to keep Jerusalem. Therefore, I say that the possibility of the exchange of territories existed already in the history of Islam and it cohabitates with our principle that all of Palestine is a dedicated land from Allah, may he be blessed to the Muslims, and no one has the right to give up any part of it," said the leader.

There have been concerns that when it assumes control, Hamas may impose hard-line Islamic law on the Palestinians. Yesterday, Hamas gunmen placed the group's flag on the Palestinian parliament building in Ramallah and reportedly announced Hamas will soon rule the area by Shariah law. Hamas reportedly has bannedWestern music events and established hard-line Islamic courts. Israel says the group has an "Anti-Corruption Unit" that enforces Islamic rules.

But the Hamas official told WND his terror organization will not impose Islamic law, "in order to reduce the hostility of the international community and the government of Israel [toward Hamas]."

He explained his group will create a governing coalition it feels will help garner financial assistance from European countries, including allowing another party to hold the foreign affairs and internal security portfolios and likely keeping the PA's current minister of finance, Salaem Fayyad, who largely is acceptable to the international community.

The Hamas leader said his group will not abandon its goal of destroying Israel.

"When I speak about a long cease-fire and a temporary agreement, it means that we do not recognize the right of the state of the occupation on our lands, but we will accept its existence temporarily," said the leader.

The leader insisted the policies are based on the formulation Hamas will not be able to defeat Israel in the near future, but he said his group is confident it ultimately will be "victorious."

"I do not see the Palestinian people and Islamic nation succeeding to liberate this blessed land of Palestine in the very near future," he said. "This is an Islamic land and the Jews are invited to live in Palestine and the Muslims will guaranty their safety and honor. ... But we will never give up our right for the whole of Palestine. We should be realistic to admit that the mission for the liberation of Palestine will pass on to the coming generations."

News SG

Hamas Say No Compromise on Jerusalem
10:03 Jan 27, '06 / 27 Tevet 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Hamas officials have announced there will be no compromise on demands that Jerusalem serve as the capital of a Palestinian nation, adding calls for the right of return for Arabs who fled to other countries will also not be abandoned.

Ismail Haniyah, who heads the Hamas list explained he will work towards a unity government with Fatah, but stressed the issues mentioned would remain atop of his governments agenda.

News SG

Recognition of Israel 'a mistake'
From correspondents in Cairo
February 06, 2006
PALESTINIAN recognition of Israel was a mistake that needs correction, a senior Hamas leader said, as the group faces pressure from Europe and the US to recognise the Jewish state.

The militant Islamist group will not consider recognising Israel while the status of the country's borders remains unclear and millions of Palestinian refugees are not unable to return to their homes, the group's deputy political leader said.

"We believe that there was a mistake that happened in the past and this (recognition of Israel) in particular must be corrected," Moussa Abu Marzouk told reporters in Cairo without giving further details.

The late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat recognised Israel on behalf of the Palestinian people as part of the 1993 Oslo peace agreements.

Hamas is trying to form a new Palestinian government after defeating the long-dominant Fatah movement in January 25 elections.

Israeli officials have said Hamas has to unequivocally recognise Israel's right to exist and abandon terrorism.

The UN security council has made the same demand.

The US and EU have said a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority would risk losing crucial foreign aid unless the group disarmed and recognised Israel.

Officials from the group have said they will not compromise their principles for aid, saying alternative funding could come from Arab and Islamic countries.

Mr Marzouk said Israel had continued building settlements and occupying and controlling access to Palestinian territory despite official Palestinian recognition.

Israel said the status of settlements will be decided in peace talks with the Palestinians and that it undertakes military operations in Palestinian areas to protect the security of its citizens.

"Where are the borders of the Israel we are supposed to recognise?" said Mr Marzouk. "Are the settlements included in the borders of Israel? ... Is the return of the refugees acceptable to Israel?"

"Until these questions are answered, it is not possible to propose it (recognition)," he said.

News SG

Will Israel Strike Iran?

News SG

Iranian Missile Test

News SG

ISRAEL'S OLMERT DECIDES ON NEW PULLOUT

JERUSALEM [MENL] -- Israel's government has decided to focus its reelection campaign on plans for a unilateral withdrawal from nearly the entire West Bank.

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has briefed the United States of his plan for an initial withdrawal from parts of the West Bank in 2007. Under the plan, Olmert, if elected, would order the dismantling of at least 17 Jewish communities in the West Bank.

"It will be only a civilian disengagement, not a military disengagement," Avi Dichter, Olmert's aide and former head of Israeli domestic intelligence, said.

Under the plan, Israel's military would evict about 15,000 Jews from several parts of the West Bank. The areas would remain under nominal Israeli military control.

News SG

Islamic Jihad threatens to target Israeli leaders
Wed Mar 8, 2006 7:42 AM ET

GAZA (Reuters) - Islamic Jihad threatened on Wednesday to target Israeli leaders after a series of Israeli air strikes and raids killed key members of the Palestinian militant group.

"Leaders of the enemy should know that they personally are targets," Islamic Jihad said in a statement faxed to the Reuters office in Gaza.

The statement said the group had ordered all its cells to launch attacks inside Israel. It was unclear from the statement which Israeli leaders might be targeted.

An Israeli air strike on Monday killed two Islamic Jihad militants and three bystanders, including an eight-year-old boy.

Last week, the group's most senior commander in Gaza was killed by an explosion that tore through his car. Islamic Jihad blamed the Israeli army, which denied involvement.

Responsible for several recent suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Israel, Islamic Jihad has been a frequent target of Israeli air strikes and raids.

Monday's attack came on the eve of formal campaigning for Israel's elections on March 28 and after interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed to use an "iron fist" against militants.

On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Israel might target Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas if the Palestinian election winner resumed attacks in the Jewish state.

Hamas is forming a government after winning Palestinian parliamentary elections in January. It called Monday's air strike a "massacre". Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said it was a "dangerous escalation" against the Palestinian people.

Hamas has masterminded at least 60 suicide bombings against Israelis since a Palestinian revolt erupted in 2000. But the militant group has largely abided by a truce declared last year.

« Previous Page Next Page »