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Fwd: Blue Sky Bullet - Tuesday Nov 8
Released on 2012-10-10 17:00 GMT
Email-ID | 3885987 |
Date | 2011-11-08 16:44:04 |
From | firstname.lastname@example.com |
To | email@example.com |
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Michael Wilson" <firstname.lastname@example.com>
To: "Analyst List" <email@example.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 9:25:37 AM
Subject: Blue Sky Bullet - Tuesday Nov 8
IRAN/SYRIA/WEST - We have seen the reports indicating a diplomatic escalati=
on from US, Israel, UK and the west in general on Iran (both threats of att=
ack and the IAEA report). Who is driving this escalation? Israel? US? What'=
s actually changed that could impact our standing assessment on an attack s=
cenario on Iran?
We have also seen the Arab League deal with Syria which seems doomed to fai=
l, followed by reports of Turkey and/or KSA escalating matters. We have bas=
ically dismissed Syrians cooperation with the Arab league as just political=
appearances (there may still be some internal argument on this), but what =
if thats exactly what the west wanted. They wanted Syria to fail so they co=
uld escalate matters diplomatically? Otherwise why is Arab league (meaning =
the states that make it up) going along with this
- - - -- - - - --
POLAND/GERMANY/RUSSIA - Poland announced it was taking Gazprom to court ove=
r pricing issues, following a few other countries. They did this right as N=
ordStream comes online. The question is how NordStream affects their negoti=
ating position as supplies through Germany are cheaper than supplies in Pol=
and and there will be a surplus for awhile. It seems to give Poland a breat=
hing room in negotiations
- - - - - - -
GREECE/EU/ITALY - UPDATE - We are still waiting for Greece to come up with =
a PM, negotiations are over when to call elections. It looks like the gover=
nment will be there to pass austerity to get bailout tranche. Berlusconi fa=
ces a confidence vote on the 15th. It looks like he will pass a routine vot=
e on a budge measure today. Today is an EU27 EconFin meeting (they adopted =
EU commission's 6 pack negotiations) following an EU17 one yesterday. They =
still haven't come up with any real solutions. Still talking about leverage=
and SPIV. Yesterday their document said - Euro zone countries want to fini=
sh legal and technical preparations for leveraging the EFSF bailout fund to=
around 1 trillion euros by the end of November to deploy it in December.
I dont really want to dicuss this but putting here in case G wants an update
- - - - - - - - -
UK/EU - The UK has an interest in Europe not failing. The question is, what=
happens when UK is faced with eurozone dissolution versus stronger EU17 in=
tegration outside their influence? While they have always had an interest i=
n continental Europe not becoming too strong one way theyve dont this is to=
maintain influence in decision making. Stronger EU 17 integration would pu=
t them outside they decision making circle, something they have recently wa=
rned against. Right now the UK wants the ECB to step in and save Europe, bu=
t a side effect of that could be tighter control by Germany as condition to=
their doing that. And more generally speaking that idea of EU17 and some s=
ort of greater control there, is interesting explained in the below reuters=
- - -
RUSSIA/IRAN (Chris) Russian Envoy Margelov yesterday has said that diplomac=
y is the way to deal with the Iran issue, the standard Russian line. Howeve=
r in the process of saying this he also issued somewhat of a warning to Ira=
n. He said that Russia is watching closely what Iran is doing in the FSU co=
untries, particularly Armenia, that Russia notes that Russian aircraft are =
restricted in flying in Iranian airspace and that Iran has shelled Russian =
fishing boats in the Caspian Sea.
This may be standard behaviour for this relationship and it's the first tim=
e that I'm picking up on it. I bring it up because it seems a little out of=
place after we recently saw Russia move closer to Iran as Moscow creates a=
bargaining position vis a vis the US.
- - - - -
SOMALIA/SECURITY - Security contracters are going to start escorting ships =
for the first few days of dangerous passage. We also saw the EU say b/c of =
budget cuts there would be a dearth of Military ships providing protection.=
What is the future of trade transit through the areas and what does that d=
o for global shipping costs OS ITEMS BELOW
- - - - -- - - -
IRAQ/SECURITY - Maliki arrested some 400 people he accused of being Baathis=
ts plotting a coup to overthrow the regime. This seems more like a clearing=
house operation against the Sunnis now that the US is withdrawing. If ther=
e was an agreement to be made with Iraqiya it would have happened before US=
withdrawal. "Maliki continues to run the ministries of defense, interior a=
nd national security himself or through party and sectarian allies, contrav=
ening an agreement with Sunni-dominated and Kurdish political blocs that fo=
rmed the current coalition government more than 10 months ago." OS ARTICLES=
=E2=80=A2 Do we see the an increase in sectarian warfare in Iraq
=E2=80=A2 Sean: I think something it missed is how this impacts Iraqi c=
apabilities themselves. To generalize with the intelligence agency, INIS, a=
s soon as it was set up again after Saddam, it pulled in a lot of former of=
ficers because they had expertise that could not be generated organically. =
If Maliki is getting rid of all of these guys, this could seriously hurt ho=
w well they are able to collect intelligence on insurgent groups (and conse=
quentially, how they will fight them). But I haven't looked closely at this=
issue for at least 8 months, and it's possible a lot has been done in the =
meantime to improve the capabilities of Maliki's boys at the MNS.
POLAND/RUSSIA/GERMANY/ PGNiG filed on Monday a case for arbitration against=
Gazprom's excessive pricing in its long terms gas supply deals. Warsaw is =
looking for a 10% reduction in pricing and taking the case to a Stockholm C=
ourt. The event in itself is relatively unsurprising - PGNiG is just follow=
ing the precedent set by Edison in Italy back in July, as well as DEPA (in =
a hush hush deal) in early 2011. E.On (German) has planned to do the same s=
ince August and it's most likely others will keep following.
What's interesting here is the timing of the announcement - Nord Stream is =
coming online on Tuesday - directly supplying Germany with relatively cheap=
er Russian gas. Meanwhile, Poland finalized an agreement last week with Pol=
ish pipeline operator Gaz-System to import gas from Germany at a 15% discou=
nt. This gas comes from the Yamal pipeline, that also services Poland, but =
German contracts are cheaper than Polish, which makes this "reverse" deal a=
ttractive. With Nord Stream coming online (and later expanding), Germany is=
going to have a surplus of natural gas on its hands, which it seems very w=
illing to export to Poland. Of course, Russia can't do anything to block th=
is deal without taking control of the distribution or pipeline networks and=
thus running afoul of the EU's 3rd Energy Directive.
Poland (for once!) has some cards stacked in its favor when it comes to ene=
rgy deals with Moscow - and will most likely be able to negotiate a signifi=
cant decrease in gas contract prices from Russia. A lot of people are sayin=
g that Russia miscalculated the effect of NS, that instead of allowing down=
stream Western consumers to be independent from Russia's energy supply warf=
are in CEE this deal in fact made it clearer that Russia can't cut supplies=
to CEE without angering the West and Germany in particular. There are seve=
ral things wrong with this assessment:
First, Russia is not playing these games anymore, not overtly at least. The=
y've moved to an asset acquisition strategy, which has much higher politica=
l and financial returns than their previous aggressive energy denial practi=
ces, which were based on the increasingly false premise that they control a=
ll the gas Europe consumes (thank you LNG!).
Second point, Germany's surplus of energy is temporary. Nordstream's supply=
won't be able to independently power Germany in 15-20 years, when demand w=
ill have increased and nuclear power supplies will have all but disappeared=
(aka goodbye surplus of Russian gas) The point is, Poland can't count on G=
ermany's backstream supply strategically - it will still have to build LNG =
terminals and pray to jesus that their shale is viable.
However, Warsaw was indeed lucky with the timing of the north stream deal: =
it can easily negotiate NOW for lower Russian gas prices to meet the foreca=
st steep increase in domestic demand in the next 20 years. Poland basically=
got a discount as well as a strategic breather. A breather they'll surely =
use to get their LNG online - their next big stepping stone.
[Lauren] There is much more going on here.... and I don't agree with some t=
hings below.... particularly how things are phrased/slanted.
1) the timing isn't as much about NS, as it is about German-Russian ng pric=
e talks, which are also tom. Russia is starting to launch new ng neg with m=
any different countries. Russia has grossly over-charged on ng, and knows i=
t. It knew it back in the day when prices sky-rocketed and knew it would ha=
ve to come down eventually. But a) it got away with it for a few years {ton=
s of cash} b) in the new negotiations, Russia looks benevolent because it i=
s coming off its high price. Win-Win.
But Russia is negotiating with the Germans and Italians before it looks at =
any other country. So the Poles were initially told to wait. They aren't...=
bc... they're Polish and impatient.
Russia will come down Europe-wide, but these things take negotiations and t=
ime, which the Poles refuse to wait their turn.
2) The Poles are using this as a symbolic and theatrical issue in which the=
Russians are rolling their eyes at. a) the Poles don't take alot of ng, so=
the RussiansW don't give a shit about them compared to the rest. b) the te=
rms would be negotiated next year if they would just wait. But the Poles ar=
e trying to make a political point-- not a real energy point. That is a goo=
d way to piss off Moscow.
3) Be very careful with your extreme wording below on Europe and Russian ng=
... they're still dependent-- particularly CE, which is what Russia cares a=
4) the court case is in Poland... meaning it can't effect Russia except in =
Poland... a small market. Russia cares about the symbolic ramifications mor=
e than the actual, since there are little.
5) any re-negotiation with Russia is dependent on Germans/Italians... Poles=
could have gotten a sweet decrease if they hadn't thrown a temper-tantrum.
But we can chat more about this tomorrow.
PGNiG to import gas from Germany rather than straight from Russia
3rd November 2011
Will the move pressure Russia's Gazprom into lowering its prices?
Courtesy of Gazprom
Polish state-owned gas monopolist PGNiG will from Thursday import Russian g=
as from Germany rather than directly from Russia, in order to pay a lower p=
rice for the fuel. In the long-run, the move may force Russia to lower the =
amount it charges PGNiG for direct supplies, Gazeta Wyborcza wrote.
PGNiG will pay about 15 percent less for the Russian gas it imports indirec=
tly than for the gas it imports straight from Russian state-owned gas giant=
Gazprom, the newspaper wrote.
Two weeks ago the Polish company said that if Gazprom did not lower prices =
of gas under a long-term contract signed between the two companies, it woul=
d refer the matter to adjudication by arbitration in Stockholm, Sweden. The=
deadline for the ultimatum to be met was Monday, but Gazprom had not lower=
ed its prices by then.
PGNiG's decision to import Russian gas from Germany may convince Gazprom to=
lower gas prices for PGNiG without the need for arbitration, Gazeta Wyborc=
za wrote.
The Polish company signed a deal with Polish state-owned gas pipeline opera=
tor Gaz-System on Monday for the transport of gas from Germany, a PGNiG spo=
keswoman told the newspaper. She did not say who the suppliers are, but the=
newspaper wrote that they are likely German companies that originally get =
gas from the Yamal-Europe natural gas pipeline, which starts in Russia.
Although the Yamal pipeline supplies Poland directly, PGNiG will receive th=
e same Russian gas for a better price from German suppliers than it does fr=
om Gazprom.
The German importers are charged a much lower price for the Russian gas tha=
n PGNiG is.
Rados=C5=82aw Dudzi=C5=84ski, the vice president for strategy at PGNiG, tol=
d Wyborcza, =E2=80=9Cwe are trying to optimize imported gas purchases and s=
ince a possibility of buying cheaper gas from Germany than Russia materiali=
zed, we took advantage of it.=E2=80=9D
The transaction was made possible by the so-called =E2=80=9Cvirtual reverse=
=E2=80=9D technology in the Yamal pipeline, which allows the direction of t=
he flow of gas to be reversed.
Poland seeks arbitration over Russian gas prices
WARSAW, Nov 7 (Reuters) - A dispute over gas import prices between Russia a=
nd its European customers escalated on Monday as Polish gas monopoly PGNiG =
filed an arbitration procedure against Gazprom to cut import prices under a=
long-term supply deal.
PGNiG, which holds full control over production, transmission and distribut=
ion of natural gas in Poland, said earlier this year it wanted at least a 1=
0 percent discount and would turn to arbitration if was not successful.
"PGNiG is counting on reaching an agreement (in arbitration), which would a=
llow for gas purchases at prices in line with conditions that are shaping t=
he European gas market," the company said.
Gazprom Export, the exporting arm of Gazprom, declined to comment.
The move comes a day before Gazprom is due to open its Nord Stream pipeline=
to Germany. The pipeline runs across the Baltic Sea, avoiding transit thro=
ugh Ukraine and by extension through Poland.
It also comes a week after Poland signed a contract with Gaz-System, a pipe=
line operator, to carry natural gas from German operators to Poland at a 15=
percent discount to Gazprom's import price.
Russia's Alfa Bank said it treated the news "as mildly negative for Gazprom=
as the company's key European clients seem to be successfully diversifying=
their gas importation routes".
But the bank added that Poland's heavy reliance on Russian gas also limited=
its leverage.
"We believe the country's efforts to receive a gas price discount will not =
significantly impact Gazprom, although a minor price decrease is possible,"=
Alfa Bank said.
Poland relies on natural gas for around 13 percent (14 billion cubic metres=
), of its annual primary energy supply according to the Energy Delta.
The country imports around 10 bcm of gas each year, and around 90 percent, =
or 9 bcm, of that comes from Russia.
Diversification of supplies has for long been high on Warsaw's agenda, with=
its focus lately turning to potential shale gas exploration.
Gazprom already reduced its gas prices for Poland last year, in exchange fo=
r exporting higher volumes.
Poland's gas monopoly follows other European gas companies in seeking a bet=
ter import price from Gazprom.
"PGNiG is just the latest of several of Gazprom's European customers to lau=
nch or threaten arbitration over gas prices, with several having settled ou=
t of court with a reduced price agreement," said Andrew Neff, senior energy=
analyst at IHS CERA.
In August, Germany's E.On Ruhrgas (EONGn.DE) said it would seek arbitration=
in a prolonged row with Gazprom over long-term gas supply contract terms.=
In an arbitration procedure, the price dispute is referred to an independen=
t arbitrator, nominated by the parties to review the case.
Gazprom has also made concessions to Italy's Edison SpA and Greek gas compa=
ny DEPA. (Reporting by Pawel Bernat and Adrian Krajewski in Warsaw; Additio=
nal reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow, and Henning Gloystein and Ol=
eg Vukmanovic in London, editing by Jane Baird)
- - - - -- - - - -- - --- - -
UK/EU - The UK has an interest in Europe not failing. The question is, what=
happens when UK is faced with eurozone dissolution versus stronger EU17 in=
tegration outside their influence? While they have always had an interest i=
n continental Europe not becoming too strong one way theyve dont this is to=
maintain influence in decision making. Stronger EU 17 integration would pu=
t them outside they decision making circle, something they have recently wa=
rned against. Right now the UK wants the ECB to step in and save Europe, bu=
t a side effect of that could be tighter control by Germany as condition to=
their doing that. And more generally speaking that idea of EU17 and some s=
ort of greater control there, is interesting explained in the below reuters=
Oct 28 - Cameron said that =E2=80=9CLondon is the center of financial servi=
ces in Europe....It=E2=80=99s under constant attack through Brussels direct=
ives. It=E2=80=99s an area of concern, it=E2=80=99s a key national interest=
that we need to defend. =E2=80=9D This week=E2=80=99s agreement to bolster=
the euro area=E2=80=99s defenses against the sovereign debt crisis will le=
ad to =E2=80=9Cmore meetings alone=E2=80=9D and the prospect of =E2=80=9Cca=
ucusing=E2=80=9D among the 17 nations that share the single currency, he sa=
id. That will increase chances that decisions taken without Britain, may da=
mage London=E2=80=99s standing as the continent=E2=80=99s leading financial=
center and benefit Paris or Frankfurt. ....
=E2=80=9CIt is very important that the institutions of the 27 are properly =
looked after and that the Commission does its job as the guardian of the 27=
,=E2=80=9D Cameron said. =E2=80=9CAs the 27, we need to make sure that the =
single market is adequately looked after.=E2=80=9D
Insight: Euro has new politburo but no solution yet
PARIS | Mon Nov 7, 2011 10:18am EST
(Reuters) - Europe has a new informal leadership directorate intent on find=
ing a solution to the euro zone's debt crisis , but it has yet to prove its=
ability to come up with a lasting formula.
Forged in the fire of a bond market inferno, the shadowy so-called Frankfur=
t Group has grabbed the helm of the 17-nation currency area in a few short =
The inner circle comprises the leaders of Germany and France, the president=
s of the executive European Commission and of the European Council of EU le=
aders, the heads of the European Central Bank and the International Monetar=
y Fund, the chairman of euro zone finance ministers, and the European Commi=
ssioner for economic and financial affairs.
Europe's new politburo met four times on the sidelines of last week's Group=
of 20 summit in Cannes, i ssuing an ultimatum to Greece that it would not =
get a cent more aid until it met its European commitments, and arm-twisting=
Italy to carry out long delayed economic reforms and let the IMF monitor t=
In a tell-tale recognition of the new ad hoc power center, members wore lap=
el badges marked "Groupe de Francfort."
U.S. President Barack Obama attended one of the meetings, getting what he j=
oked was a "crash course" in the complexity of Europe's laborious decision-=
making processes and institutions.
"He proved to be a quick learner," one participant said.
Two people familiar with the discussion said he argued for the euro zone to=
make its financial backstop more credible by harnessing the resources of t=
he ECB, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel and ECB President Mario Draghi =
Obama also supported a proposal to pool euro zone countries' rights to borr=
ow from the IMF to help bolster a firewall against contagion from the Greek=
debt crisis, but Germany's central bank opposed this too, the sources said.
The president referred obliquely to the debate at a news conference the nex=
t day, saying: "European leaders understand that ultimately what the market=
s are looking for is a strong signal from Europe that they're standing behi=
nd the euro."
Hours earlier, a television camera in the Cannes summit conference room cau=
ght Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron discussing the issue whi=
le waiting for the start of the final working session.
Cameron, whose country is not in the euro, has called publicly for the ECB =
to act as the lender of last resort for the euro zone, as the Federal Reser=
ve does for the United States, and the Bank of England for Britain.
When Merkel entered the room, Obama pulled her aside for a private conversa=
tion. An open microphone caught his opening words: "I guess you guys have t=
o be creative here."
The Frankfurt Group came about on the hoof to try to fashion a crisis respo=
nse in something closer to the short timespan of frantic financial markets.
It seems destined to endure, not least because the growing imbalance betwee=
n a stronger Germany and a weaker France means other players are needed to =
broker decisions.
Crucially, it aims to bridge the ideological gulf between northern and sout=
hern Europe, and between supporters of the orthodox German focus on fiscal =
discipline and an independent central bank with the sole task of fighting i=
nflation, and advocates of a more integrated and expansive economic and mon=
etary union.
The presence of IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde gives the group gre=
ater credibility in the markets, as well as providing a reality check on wh=
at international lenders expect and the limits to their willingness to supp=
ort the euro zone.
It all began with a blazing row at the Old Opera House in Frankfurt on Octo=
ber 19 that spoiled Jean-Claude Trichet's farewell party after eight years =
as president of the ECB.
As the fallout from Greece's debt crisis singed European banks and panicky =
investors dumped euro zone government bonds, French President Nicolas Sarko=
zy, who had snubbed the ceremony in honor of Trichet, flew in at the last m=
inute to meet a visibly irritated Merkel.
Sarkozy himself said that day that France and Germany were at odds over how=
to leverage the euro zone's financial rescue fund. The French wanted to le=
t the European Financial Stability Facility operate as a bank and borrow mo=
ney from the ECB.
"In Germany, the coalition is divided on this issue. It is not just Angela =
Merkel whom we need to convince," Sarkozy told lawmakers, according to Char=
les de Courson, who was present.
At the Frankfurt meeting, described by one participant as "explosive," Merk=
el and Trichet firmly opposed the idea, which they said would violate the E=
uropean Union's treaty prohibition on the central bank financing government=
Germany insisted on that clause when the ECB was created because of its own=
history of fiscal abuse of the central bank that fueled hyperinflation in =
the 1920s and funded the Nazis' massive rearmament in the run up to World W=
ar Two.
As French officials tell it, Merkel is not so hostile to the proposal as he=
r finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, and the head of the German Bundesba=
nk, Jens Weidmann.
The French are convinced that Merkel understands the ECB will have to be mo=
re centrally involved in fighting bond market contagion, but she cannot get=
it through her divided coalition for now. They see the ECB as the main cen=
ter of resistance.
After hearing a chorus of Obama, Cameron and the leaders of India, Canada a=
nd Australia at the G20, Merkel acknowledged that the rest of the world fou=
nd it hard to understand that the ECB was not allowed to play the role of l=
ender of last resort.
But the crisis may have to get still worse before the Germans and the ECB r=
elent, if they ever do.
The Frankfurt Group has already had an impact in euro zone crisis managemen=
t but like all informal core groups it has begun to stir resentment among t=
hose who are excluded, and it has yet to prove its ability to craft a convi=
ncing longer-term solution.
North European creditor countries such as the Netherlands, Slovakia and Fin=
land, where public hostility to further euro zone bailouts is fierce, are a=
lready grumbling about decisions being taken behind their backs.
In Greece and Italy, there has been strong criticism of the perceived arrog=
ance of "Merkozy," as the Franco-German duumvirate are increasingly nicknam=
ed, in summoning their prime ministers to receive ultimatums.
German and French officials shrug off such complaints as inevitable, noting=
that EU partners are even more unhappy when France and Germany do not agre=
e, since that paralyses Europe.
"There is always a trade-off between legitimacy and efficacy," said an EU o=
fficial involved in the Frankfurt Group. "The euro area institutions were n=
ot designed for crisis management so we need innovative solutions.
"In an emergency like this, we have to have a structure that works," he sai=
d, adding that the presence of the European Commission and of European Coun=
cil President Herman Van Rompuy guaranteed that the interests of smaller me=
mber states would be taken into account.
EU officials had held conference calls with the 15 other euro zone states d=
uring the Cannes summit "to keep them in the loop." The head of the EFSF, K=
laus Regling, was secretly flown to Cannes to brief the leaders on the stat=
e of accelerated preparations to leverage the rescue fund, one source said.
Merkel long resisted French pressure to create more of an "economic governm=
ent" in the euro zone, not least because she did not want Germany to be in =
a minority on issues such as bailouts, free trade or the EU budget.
She also did not want to alienate German allies and neighbors such as Denma=
rk, Poland and the Czech Republic, which are not in the euro zone.
But recent problems in smaller countries that aggravated market turmoil -- =
Finland's demand for collateral on loans to Greece and Slovakia's parliamen=
tary wrangling over increasing the EFSF's powers -- convinced her of the ne=
ed for stronger leadership to impose order.
Whether the Frankfurt Group will be the forum that finally convinces German=
y to accept a bigger crisis-fighting role for the ECB, or the creation of j=
ointly issued euro zone bonds, remains to be seen.
Economic governance: Council adopts legal texts
Brussels, 8 November 2011 16446/11 PRESSE 413
The Council today1 adopted a package of six legislative proposals aimed at =
strengthening economic governance in the EU =E2=80=93 and more specifically=
in the euro area =E2=80=93 as part of the EU's response to the current tur=
moil on sovereign debt markets (PE-CONS 28/11, 29/11, 30/11, 31/11, 14615/1=
Adoption of the so-called "six-pack" of governance measures follows a polit=
ical agreement at the Council's meeting on 4 October on the basis of a comp=
romise reached with the European Parliament. The texts were approved by the=
Parliament on 28 September.
The measures set out to ensure the degree of coordination necessary to avoi=
d the accumulation of excessive imbalances and to ensure sustainable public=
finances. This will help enable the EU's monetary union to function proper=
ly in the long term.
They consist of:
=E2=80=93 a regulation amending regulation 1466/97 on the surveillance of m=
ember states budgetary and economic policies;
=E2=80=93 a regulation amending regulation 1467/97 on the EU's excessive de=
ficit procedure; =E2=80=93 a regulation on the enforcement of budgetary sur=
veillance in the euro area;
a regulation on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances;=
a regulation on enforcement measures to correct excessive macroeconomic imb=
alances in the euro area;
a directive on requirements for the member states' budgetary frameworks.
More specifically, the measures set out to:
=E2=80=A2 enhance budgetary discipline under the EU's Stability and Growth =
Pact, in order to
ensure a satisfactory decline of public debt in the member states, as well =
as a decrease of high deficits to be followed by achieving ambitious, count=
ry-specific medium-term budgetary objectives (four proposals). This involve=
s enhancing the surveillance of budgetary policies, introducing provisions =
on national fiscal frameworks, and applying enforcement for non-compliant e=
uro area member states more consistently and at an earlier stage;
=E2=80=A2 broaden the surveillance of the member states' economic policies,=
so as to cater adequately for macroeconomic imbalances (two proposals). An=
alert mechanism is introduced for the early detection of imbalances, to be=
assessed using a "scoreboard" of economic indicators. An "excessive imbala=
nce procedure" is also introduced, with enforcement for non-compliant membe=
r states.
Reform of the Stability and Growth Pact
The Stability and Growth Pact was adopted in 1997, prior to the creation of=
the euro, in order to ensure that fiscal discipline is maintained in the m=
ember states. It is aimed at ensuring that member states respect specified =
criteria for their annual budget deficits and public debt, for which the fo=
llowing reference values are set:
=E2=80=A2 3% of GDP for annual budget deficits; =E2=80=A2 60% of GDP for pu=
blic debt.
The new solutions are aimed at strengthening the provisions set for ensurin=
g the respect of those criteria. They affect both the preventive arm of the=
pact, namely the procedures that are followed to ensure that excessive def=
icits are avoided, and the corrective arm of the pact, i.e. the procedure f=
ollowed for the correction of excessive deficits. At the same time, the ref=
orm introduces new provisions with regard to the debt criterion of the pact.
16446/11 2
=E2=80=93 Preventive arm of the pact
To promote attainment by the member states of their medium term budgetary o=
bjectives (MTOs), the reform introduces an expenditure benchmark, which imp=
lies that annual expenditure growth should not exceed a reference medium-te=
rm rate of GDP growth. This is meant to ensure that revenue windfalls are n=
ot spent but instead allocated to debt reduction. If a euro area member sta=
te has not reached its MTO, a significant deviation in expenditure developm=
ent from its reference expenditure growth path could eventually lead to san=
ctions in the form of interest-bearing deposits amounting to 0.2% of GDP.
=E2=80=93 Corrective arm of the pact (excessive deficit procedure)
Greater emphasis is be placed on the debt criterion of the Stability and Gr=
owth Pact, with member states whose debt exceeds 60% of GDP (the EU's refer=
ence value for debt) required to take steps to reduce their debt at a pre-d=
efined pace, even if their deficit is below 3% of GDP (the EU's deficit ref=
erence value).
To determine whether the debt ratio is sufficiently diminishing toward the =
60% of GDP threshold, a numerical benchmark is introduced. A debt-to-GDP ra=
tio above 60% will thus be considered to be sufficiently diminishing if its=
distance with respect to the 60% reference value has decreased over the pr=
evious three years at an annual rate of one- twentieth. However, a decision=
to subject a country to the excessive deficit procedure will not only be b=
ased on the numerical benchmark, but will also take into account other rele=
vant factors.
To strengthen the corrective arm of the Stability and Growth Pact, a new se=
t of financial sanctions are introduced for euro-area member states; these =
will apply earlier on in the excessive deficit procedure, and using a gradu=
ated approach. A non-interest-bearing deposit amounting to 0.2% of GDP will=
apply once a decision has been taken to subject a country to the excessive=
deficit procedure, if an interest-bearing deposit has already been imposed=
under the preventive arm of the pact or if serious non-compliance is ident=
The deposit will be converted into a fine of 0.2% of GDP if the Council's i=
nitial recommendation for correcting the deficit has not been followed. Fur=
ther non-compliance will result in the sanction being stepped up, in line w=
ith the existing provisions of article 126(11) of the EU treaty (maximum fi=
ne: 0.5% of GDP).
To trigger the sanctions more automatically than at present, a so-called re=
verse majority rule is introduced, whereby the Commission's proposal for im=
posing sanctions related to non-compliance with the Pact will be considered=
adopted unless the Council turns it down by qualified majority.
16446/11 3
=E2=80=93 Budgetary frameworks at national level
Alongside the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact, a draft directive se=
ts out to ensure that the objectives of EU budgetary coordination are refle=
cted in the member states' budgetary frameworks. Accounting, statistical an=
d forecasting practices are brought into line with EU standards. Member sta=
tes must adopt multi-annual fiscal planning to ensure that medium-term budg=
etary objectives set at EU level are achieved. They must also introduce rul=
es to promote compliance with the deficit and debt thresholds.
Surveillance of economic policies
Beyond budgetary surveillance, the legislative package is aimed at broadeni=
ng the surveillance of the member states' economic policies.
It establishes a mechanism for the prevention and correction of excessive m=
acroeconomic imbalances, made up of two regulations which outline an "exces=
sive imbalance procedure" and introduce the possibility of fines being impo=
sed on member states found to be in an "excessive imbalance position" and r=
epeatedly failing to comply with recommendations.
The starting point of the new framework is an alert mechanism for the early=
detection of imbalances, which will be assessed using a "scoreboard" of ec=
onomic indicators. This will be followed by country-specific qualitative ex=
pert analysis.
If the imbalance is considered to be excessive, the member state concerned =
could be subject to an "excessive imbalance procedure", and would be called=
on to adopt a corrective action plan within a specific timeframe. The proc=
edure gives the Council more flexibility in setting deadlines than the exce=
ssive deficit procedure in order to account for the less direct influence o=
f government policies in addressing imbalances.
If the Council decides that the member state concerned has taken appropriat=
e action, the procedure will be held in abeyance, and can be closed if the =
Council concludes that the imbalance is no longer considered to be excessiv=
On the other hand, repeated non-compliance with the recommendations can in =
the case of euro area member states eventually lead to sanctions. Specifica=
lly, a decision to impose a yearly fine equal to 0.1% of the member state's=
GDP will be adopted through the "reverse majority" rule described above.
- - - -
Margelov yesterday has said that diplomacy is the way to deal with the Iran=
issue, the standard Russian line. However in the process of saying this he=
also issued somewhat of a warning to Iran. He said that Russia is watching=
closely what Iran is doing in the FSU countries, particularly Armenia, tha=
t Russia notes that Russian aircraft are restricted in flying in Iranian ai=
rspace and that Iran has shelled Russian fishing boats in the Caspian Sea.=
This may be standard behaviour for this relationship and it's the first tim=
e that I'm picking up on it. I bring it up because it seems a little out of=
place after we recently saw Russia move closer to Iran as Moscow creates a=
bargaining position vis a vis the US.
Iranian problems must have political, not military, solution - Russian sena=
Chairman of the Federation Council International Affairs Committee Mikhail =
Margelov has urged to exercise caution with respect to the current situatio=
n around Iran and said that all problems related to this country should hav=
e a political solution only. Margelov said this during his speech at the Wo=
odrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington on 7 November,=
as reported by Russian news agency on the same day.
"We should be very cautious when dealing with Iranians. One should play che=
ss and not rugby when dealing with the eastern countries," Margelov said wh=
en asked to comment on mounting tension around the Iranian nuclear problem.=
"Iran is our neighbour, we have a common border. Iran is a strong regional=
player and we are carefully watching its growing economic activities in th=
e countries of the former Soviet Union, particluarly in Armenia," Margelov =
was quoted as saying.
" We did not turn a blind eye to the fact that Iran restricted our aircraft=
to fly through its airspace. We did not turn a blind eye to the shelling o=
f our fishermen by Iranian coastal guards on the Caspian Sea. We see and co=
unt up everything, however we seriously believe that the problems around Ir=
an should be solved with political rather than military methods," he said.=
Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian 2226 gmt 7 Nov 11
BBC Mon FS1 MCU ME1 MEPol 081111 et
=C2=A9 Copyright British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
- - -
IRAQ/SECURITY - Maliki arrested some 400 people he accused of being Baathis=
ts plotting a coup to overthrow the regime. This seems more like a clearing=
house operation against the Sunnis now that the US is withdrawing. If ther=
e was an agreement to be made with Iraqiya it would have happened before US=
withdrawal. "Maliki continues to run the ministries of defense, interior a=
nd national security himself or through party and sectarian allies, contrav=
ening an agreement with Sunni-dominated and Kurdish political blocs that fo=
rmed the current coalition government more than 10 months ago."
=E2=80=A2 Do we see the an increase in sectarian warfare in Iraq
=E2=80=A2 Sean: I think something it missed is how this impacts Iraqi c=
apabilities themselves. To generalize with the intelligence agency, INIS, a=
s soon as it was set up again after Saddam, it pulled in a lot of former of=
ficers because they had expertise that could not be generated organically. =
If Maliki is getting rid of all of these guys, this could seriously hurt ho=
w well they are able to collect intelligence on insurgent groups (and conse=
quentially, how they will fight them). But I haven't looked closely at this=
issue for at least 8 months, and it's possible a lot has been done in the =
meantime to improve the capabilities of Maliki's boys at the MNS.
Iraq Factions Spar Over Security Force
By SAM DAGHER
BAGHDAD=E2=80=94 A struggle between Iraq's political factions is sowing div=
isions in the country's security forces just weeks before the last U.S. tro=
ops depart, as Iraqis rely on a unified force to hold the country together =
and suppress extremist violence.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a member of the majority Shiite sect, has i=
n recent weeks accelerated measures to purge the Iraqi forces of anyone who=
served in the intelligence and security services of the former Sunni-led r=
egime of Saddam Hussein.
Dozens of Sunni officers were expelled last month and more dismissals are p=
lanned, according to interviews with officers and copies of decrees viewed =
by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by the Interior Ministry.
While some of the Sunni officers were accused of serving in Hussein's "repr=
essive apparatuses," some were simply called on for "early retirement," and=
others were dismissed under vague accusations of associating with terroris=
In another move that shook the Iraqi security services, Mr. Maliki=E2=80=94=
the acting interior minister=E2=80=94ordered the arrests on Oct. 23 of what=
he said were "many" army and police officers among more than 600 people ac=
cused of plotting to overthrow his government.
At the same time, Mr. Maliki is delaying appointments to top posts that ove=
rsee the security forces, now almost one-million strong including the army =
and police. Mr. Maliki continues to run the ministries of defense, interior=
and national security himself or through party and sectarian allies, contr=
avening an agreement with Sunni-dominated and Kurdish political blocs that =
formed the current coalition government more than 10 months ago.
With the U.S. departure imminent, any new fissures in the security services=
will make it harder for Iraq's army and police to keep the peace and defen=
d the country's borders.
Yet the prime minister's moves have triggered countermoves by his Sunni pol=
itical rivals that are threatening to further fragment the country. The lea=
ders of Salahuddin Province, a predominantly Sunni area north of Baghdad, s=
aid last month they would begin the process of becoming a semiautonomous re=
gion=E2=80=94complaining that, among other things, they wanted to be better=
represented in the security services, both in rank and file and executive =
Sunni Arab politicians and tribal leaders from several provinces, including=
Salahuddin, met at parliament in Baghdad on Wednesday to air grievances th=
at included what they see as inadequate representation in senior posts in t=
he security forces.
In a statement issued at the meeting's end, they referred to a "dangerous s=
tructural flaw" in relations between the provinces and the central governme=
nt. Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni Arab, warned about "using =
the army as a tool in the hands of some politicians."
The ethnic and sectarian polarization of Iraqi politics puts immense pressu=
re on security forces that, in the years after Hussein's fall, endured a ci=
vil war that transformed elements of their ranks into sectarian death squad=
s in the service of politicized militias.
The U.S. military presence has served as a buffer against Iraqi politicians=
who may seek to control elements of the security services to give muscle t=
o their own factions. "We remain split over the country's most fundamental =
issues," said a general in the country's federal police based in Baghdad. "=
The Americans are a balancing factor."
Unifying the services' disparate units and ragtag brigades into a coherent =
security force remains very much a work in progress. The U.S. military has =
led this process in the aftermath of Washington's decision to disband the I=
raqi army in 2003=E2=80=94now widely recognized as an ill-fated move that h=
elped fuel the insurgency.
Yet many of the targets of the effort to purge the army and police of forme=
r Hussein loyalists are people who had been reintegrated into the services =
as part of a U.S.-backed program to foster national reconciliation and weak=
en the Sunni insurgency, according to Deputy Interior Minister Hussein Kama=
But the unifying role of the U.S. is fast coming to an end. As of Friday, a=
bout 32,000 American forces remained in Iraq=E2=80=94compared to 171,000 at=
the height of the war in 2007=E2=80=94all of them set to leave by Dec. 31.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, spokesman for U.S. troops in Iraq expressed con=
fidence in the Iraqi forces' ability to maintain security. "They have not s=
tepped away from any challenge or any fight since taking over security thro=
ughout the nation, ensuring every incident they're presented with is quickl=
y contained," he said. He deferred questions about the polarization of the =
forces to the Iraqi government.
Mr. Maliki's aides said the prime minister has delayed doling out top minis=
try posts because of fears of a coup attempt arising from the security serv=
ices. "It's impossible for the prime minister to accept anyone he does not =
trust," said his media adviser Ali al-Mussawi.
In Diyala Province, a highly volatile area near Baghdad, the Interior Minis=
try issued an order to dismiss 32 Sunni officers from the police force on g=
rounds including allegedly collaborating with terrorists and having a role =
in one of Hussein's paramilitary forces. The order was implemented last mon=
th, around the same time that the last U.S. soldiers in Diyala left the pro=
Mr. Kamal, the deputy interior minister, described the order as a routine a=
dministrative matter that had nothing to do with the U.S. departure or Iraq=
i politics. But the timing hasn't been lost on the Sunni officers.
"This order was issued after the U.S. pullout [from the province] to gauge =
reaction" by Sunnis, said Maj. Abbas Ghaidan Khalaf, one of the dismissed o=
fficers. "If there's no reaction, then you'll see more marginalization of [=
Sunnis] until there are not even street sweepers from this sect."
There has been ample reaction. Adnan al-Karkhi, a member of the Diyala prov=
incial council, warned after the dismissals, "The lack of balance [in the s=
ecurity forces] will keep the province in the vicious circle of violence an=
d instability."
The dismissal order says Maj. Khalaf and two others were fired "because the=
ir brothers are terrorists," without providing evidence.
Maj. Khalaf said two of his siblings are active duty police officers, one o=
f whom survived several suicide bombings. A third sibling is a local govern=
ment employee. The fourth, a lieutenant in the Interior ministry's intellig=
ence unit, was assassinated two weeks ago.
Another incident in Diyala in October also offered a reminder of the countr=
y's political divisions, this one related to Kurds serving in the security =
forces. Kurdish recruits report to, and are paid by, the central government=
, of which Kurds are a part. But their ultimate loyalty is to the political=
leadership of the semiautonomous region of Kurdistan in the north, which k=
eeps its own security force.
An order from the central government to remove Kurdish flags from public bu=
ildings in the town of Khanaqin, one of several disputed territories in nor=
thern Iraq claimed by both Kurds and Arabs, was challenged by the predomina=
ntly Kurdish local police. Baghdad backed down, but tensions remain.
U.S. forces have played a critical role in tamping down such tensions in th=
ese contested areas and fostering collaboration between Arabs and Kurds. Th=
e Kurdistan region's President Masoud Barzani warned in a recent interview =
with Dubai-based al-Arabiya channel that the U.S. withdrawal at year's end =
might give way to an "open-ended civil war," with nobody there to stop it.=
Parliament Committee recommends reformation of pro-govt militias to maintai=
n security
07/11/2011 13:28
Baghdad, Nov. 7 (AKnews) =E2=80=93 Iraq parliament=E2=80=99s security and d=
efense committee recommends the reformation of pro-government militias to m=
aintain security and fight local insurgent groups, says Kurdish member of t=
he committee Shwan Mohammed Taha.
The recommendation comes as the country is witnessing a surge in the armed =
actions in the capital Baghdad and several other provinces.
=E2=80=9CThe Awakening Council forces had a great role in facing the armed =
groups and contributed to maintaining security throughout Iraq.=E2=80=9D Sa=
ys Taha, =E2=80=9CWe support the reformation of these forces=E2=80=A6 as th=
e security situation is seeing deterioration=E2=80=9D
The Awakening Councils were formerly Sunni tribal insurgents who turned aga=
inst al-Qaeda militants in 2006 after they were organized by major sheikhs =
and chieftains into the Councils. They were later recruited in the Iraqi ar=
my and police. The recruitment is still in progress.
The committee has, according to Taha, sent letters to Prime Minister Nuri I=
al-Maliki to reconsider the structure of the security forces as the countr=
y is nearing the end of the year when the US forces in Iraq are expected to=
withdraw from the country. The US currently keep some 39,000 troops in Ira=
Baghdad and several other province witnessed a series of bombings, IED expl=
osions and assassinations targeting security forces, government employees a=
nd civilians.
Maliki orders to end mission of Iraq Justice and Accountability Commission=
Monday, October 24, 2011 16:07 GMT
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Al Motlaq revealed, on Sunday, that Prime=
Minister Nuri Al Maliki ordered to end the mission of Justice and Accounta=
bility Commission and suspend its authorities.
Heads of political parties agreed not to abide by the present commission=E2=
=80=99s measures until a new commission is formed, Motlaq pointed out. Whil=
e the Justice and Accountability Commission was subject to politicization, =
Iraq got deprived from essential competencies.
=E2=80=9CIraqi Prime Minister has addressed at least two letters to the Jus=
tice and Accountability Commission declaring the end of its commission and =
stressing that it is no longer entitled to take measures until a new commis=
sion is formed,=E2=80=9D Motlaq told a press conference attended by Alsumar=
=E2=80=9CThe new commission has not been formed yet, given that it should b=
e elected by the Parliament which has still not received the members=E2=80=
=99 names=E2=80=9D,=E2=80=9D he noted.
=E2=80=9CAll political blocs leaders agreed to disregard the measures of th=
e Justice and Accountability Commission until a new commission is formed,=
=E2=80=9D Motlaq added. =E2=80=9CThe new commission will reconsider old cas=
es against potentially innocent people,=E2=80=9D he indicated.
=E2=80=9CPoliticizing the Justice and Accountability Commission has harmed =
Iraqis for long and deprived Iraq from essential competencies that would co=
ntribute to the country=E2=80=99s reconstruction,=E2=80=9D Deputy Prime Min=
ister argued. =E2=80=9CThe present political blocs have served their partie=
s and relatives not their confessions,=E2=80=9D he revealed.
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research had decided, early Oct=
ober, to execute the Justice and Accountability Commission measures and dis=
charge 140 teachers and employees from Tikrit University. Tikrit University=
=E2=80=99s President, for his part, resigned in objection to these measures.
Over 170 arrested in Iraq for alleged Baath party links
Oct 23, 2011, 12:03 GMT
Baghdad - More than 170 Iraqis were arrested Sunday for allegedly belonging=
to Saddam Hussein's now-outlawed Baath party, security sources told dpa.
More than 100 people were arrested in raids in the southern city of Kut, fo=
llowing orders from high-level officials in Baghdad, the sources said.
Forty former Baath party members and former army officers who worked during=
Saddam Hussein's rule were detained in Tikrit, 170 kilometres north of Bag=
In Baquba, north-east of Baghdad, 36 people were arrested.
The mass arrests come two days after Iraq and the United States agreed that=
all US troops will leave the country by the end of 2011.
The Iraqi government has blamed al-Qaeda-linked groups as well as Baathists=
for bombings and attacks in the country.
In 2009, hundreds of Baath party members were banned from running for parli=
amentary elections. The ban was lifted a month before the March 2010 electi=
Talks between Washington and Baghdad on keeping some soldiers in the countr=
y longer failed over the Iraqi government's reluctance to grant legal immun=
ity to troops who would have remained after December.
Less than 50,000 US soldiers are still in the country, under a 2008 agreeme=
The withdrawal highlights the security challenges facing Iraqi security for=
ces, as near-daily bombings continue.
An Iraqi teacher was killed on Sunday when gunmen attacked his house in the=
city of Samaraa, some 112 kilometres north of Baghdad. His wife was injure=
d in the attack.
Meanwhile, a member of the parliament's Security and Defence Committee, Qas=
sem al-Araji, told the government daily Al Sabah that six countries were ch=
osen to provide the military with weapons.
'A team will be formed to visit these countries to know firsthand the arms =
they can offer to Iraq,' al-Araji said, without naming the countries.
'The US troops are to blame for delay in arming the Iraqi army on different=
pretexts,' added al-Araji.
The committee has suggested diversifying the arms suppliers. 'We should not=
limit ourselves to one supplier, who can turn into a tool of pressure on I=
raq in the future,' said al-Araji.
IRAN/SYRIA/WEST - We have seen the reports indicating a diplomatic escalati=
on from US, Israel, UK and the west in general on Iran (both threats of att=
ack and the IAEA report). Who is driving this escalation? Israel? US? What'=
s actually changed that could impact our standing assessment on an attack s=
cenario on Iran?
We have also seen the Arab League deal with Syria which seems doomed to fai=
l, followed by reports of Turkey and/or KSA escalating matters. We have bas=
ically dismissed Syrians cooperation with the Arab league as just political=
appearances, but what if thats exactly what the west wanted. They wanted S=
yria to fail so they could escalate matters diplomatically?
Generally starts chronologically at the bottom and goes up. Ive repasted at=
the top a translation of the original article that set this whole thing of=
f (its also at the bottom in order).
It was an Op-Ed in Hebrew Yediot Aharonot by Nahum Barnea
- - - - -
Will Barak and Netanyahu Attack Iran Before Winter? MW: Note this is a tran=
slation of the original YNET article that started it all off. From Friday O=
ct 28. Cant find original in Hebrew
Yediot Ahronot - Nahum Barnea
Have the prime minister and defense minister settled on a decision, just be=
tween the two of them, to launch a military attack on the nuclear facilitie=
s in Iran? This question preoccupies many people in the defense establishme=
nt and high circles of government. It distresses foreign governments, which=
find it difficult to understand what is happening here: On one hand, there=
are mounting rumors of an "Israeli" move that will change the face of the =
Middle East and possibly seal "Israel's" fate for generations to come; on t=
he other hand, there is a total absence of any public debate. The issue of =
whether to attack Iran is at the bottom of the "Israeli" agenda.
It's true that the agenda is loaded with heavy issues: protests are trying =
to rise again; electricity bills are high; pre-meds are struggling for thei=
r right to be independent; Gilad Shalit is out of his house; Ilan Grapel is=
back - Ouda Trabin is not; a Grad missile is fired on Rishon Lezion: Ahmed=
El Gaabari and his fellows are our new Palestinian friends, they want to p=
rove for the world and themselves that the aura of glory didn't concern the=
m in the first place: In Gaza they have holidays and what's beyond holidays=
. All of these issues are substantial and influential but none is pivotal, =
perhaps that's why it's easy for everyone to be occupied by these issues in=
stead of worrying about confronting the Iranian nuclear weapons. It is easy=
to understand the difficulties. First and foremost, here are the facts: he=
who wants to delve into the problem will drown in a sea of technical data =
only experts understand.
Behind any report about centrifuges, there's a viewer who changed the chann=
el or a reader who preferred playing Sudoku. Second, out of secrecy, the fo=
rthcoming information is partial for the sake of who's relating them. Third=
, out of habit, the audience wasn't allowed to participate in Menachem Begi=
n's decision to hit the nuclear facility in Iraq, as no one has participate=
d in Ihud Olmert's decision (according to foreign sources) to attack the fa=
cilities of Syria. Because both attacks were a success, no one complained.=
Both attacks involved enormous risks: pilots could have failed to accomplis=
h the mission, could have been captivated and could have caused mass murder=
; Saddam's regime or Assad's regime could have militarily responded through=
terrorist attacks or firing missiles; foreign countries like the U.S. coul=
d have provoked a crisis. It was very heartening that opponents' disastrous=
predictions didn't come true, and the attacks were a complete success with=
no injuries or damages to our groups.
But will it succeed a third time? Yes, say military operation proponents, w=
hile opponents say "absolutely not". Iran is a totally different matter; it=
is state of a different region, regime, culture, atomic project, and of a =
different risk level.
The political and security commands are divided into different blocs, first=
one state that the advantages of this military operation are very limited =
and taking the risk is insane. Iranians will bombard Israel with deadly mis=
siles from Iran, from Lebanon via Hizbullah and from Gaza via Hamas. A regi=
onal war will be set off and it will destroy the state of "Israel". It's be=
tter for "Israel" to focus on the international group sanctions and hope fo=
r the best. Had Iran acquired nuclear weapons, it won't be the end of the w=
orld, while an "Israeli" attack just might be.
The second bloc says there's no rush.
They claim that Iranians need at least 2 more years, or two and half to hav=
e the project fully developed. Then they will encounter many obstacles. New=
presidential elections will be taking place in two years, so whether Obama=
in his second term or a republican in his first term, they will be solely =
held responsible for the attack of Iran. The regime may change in Iran. Man=
y things can happen in two years.
This week during my stay in Europe, I visited one of the senior U.S. diplom=
ats of a former administration. He said that "Israel" should back renewed n=
egotiations on international inspections as proposed by. But the Iranians a=
re bluffing; all they want is to gain more time. It's clear, he said, but i=
t will be easier for the U.S. and "Israel" to do business when the entire i=
nternational group publically confesses that the Iranians are deceitful. So=
me cabinet "Israeli" ministers subscribe to this perception, and they secon=
d a military operation as a last resort. They suspect that the growing pres=
sure for an immediate attack stems from "outside motives, whether personal =
or political." More on that later.
The third bloc includes heads of the armed forces - IDF chief of staff, mil=
itary intelligence chief, Mossad chief and Shin Bet chief. When the militar=
y operation issue was raised in a previous round, people who had occupied t=
hese positions respectively were: Gabi Ashkenazi, Meir Dagan, Amos Yadlin a=
nd Yuval Diskin. These four strongly refused the military operation. Those =
who occupy their positions now are: Benny Gantz, Tamir Brdo, Aviv Kochavi a=
nd Yoram Cohen. This replacement may have a long-term explanation, and Shal=
it's deal is an example that draws the attention: Diskin and Dagan both opp=
osed the swap deal; their opposition made the government's positions more r=
adical; while Choen and Brdo approved, and their approval permitted the swa=
But as we know, when it comes to Iran, they share the opinion of their pred=
ecessors and are opposed to taking action against Iran at this time. The di=
fference lies in the preparation of the struggle: the predecessors reached =
negotiations after years of success, and each at his organization enjoyed a=
firm public status. They looked steadfast and confident. The new ones are =
less famous, less stern and less experienced.
The way security decisions are made is clear: politician ranks decide and e=
xecutive ones apply. Refusing orders in not an option neither are the secre=
t gangs. But the procedure is much more complicated than what you learn in =
civics: the executive rank is an equal partner during the negotiations. It =
doesn't express his opinions in matters only related to its specialty, but =
in all the matters. No lines separating both ranks. Actually, the prime min=
ister cannot take a precarious decision if it was objected by the minister =
of defense, chief of staff, chief of Mossad, and chief of Shin Bet, togethe=
r or by most of them. He won't dare to, even if he had the support of the m=
ini cabinet majority. He also takes into account that if the operation was =
a failure, he may be brought before the commission of inquiry, exposed and =
unprotected, with no document to prove that he had the authorized rank's fu=
ll support.
That's why it is very important to know how the authorized rank expresses h=
is opinion - does he pound on the table like Maer Dadan used to do or he ki=
ndly and calmly restrains; is he an active player in the decision-making pr=
ocess or a puppet serving his superiors. This leads us to the forth bloc - =
to Benyamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, the Siamese twin of Iran's case. A ra=
re phenomenon occurs here in the concepts of "Israeli" politics, where the =
Prime Minister and Minister of Defense work as one Body for one purpose wit=
h mutual support and mutual eulogies. This harmony has been made only when =
one person took both positions. If we insist to dig into history we can cit=
e the rich cooperation between the Prime Minister Shamir and Defense Minist=
er Rabin. And what united them is their despise of Peres.
Both Netanyahu and Barak are being depicted as proponents of the military o=
peration. Netanyahu's thinking, since the beginning of his term, goes like =
this: "Ahmadinejad is Hitler; if he isn't stopped in time, there will be an=
other Holocaust. There are those who describe Netanyahu's attitude on the m=
atter as an obsession: All his life he dreamed of being Churchill; Iran giv=
es him the opportunity. The popularity he gained as a result of the Shalit =
deal didn't pacify him: the opposite, it gave him a sense of power."
Barak's motivations are more prosaic and to-the-point: He thinks that just =
as Israel knocked out the Iraqi and Syrian nuclear facilities in the past, =
so it must knock out Iran's now: "That's the strategy; that's the tradition=
He figures Dagan's opposition stems from psychological motives: As head of =
the Mossad, Dagan was credited with extraordinary achievements in jamming u=
p Iran's nuclear project. A military operation so soon after the end of his=
tenure would diminish the significance of those achievements
Moreover, some cabinet ministers suspect Barak is driven at least partly by=
personal motives: with no party or constituency behind him. Attacking Iran=
will be the big bang that will enable Netanyahu to put Barak among the 10 =
candidates of Likud in the next elections. Thus, he will maintain his posit=
ion in the ministry of defense. This seems as exaggerated doubt, for Barak =
doesn't need Ayatollah Khomeini to join Likud, Shalom Samhoun can arrange t=
his in a very peaceful way.
Now of all times, when the sense abroad is that Iran's nuclear progress is =
slowing, the rumors tell of pressure [in Israel] to act. One of the factors=
is the weather: Winter is coming, and in winter there are limitations. Oth=
ers look further ahead: They say that after winter comes spring, and then s=
Source: Hebrew Press, translated by moqawama.org
- - - - -- - - - -- - - - - - - - - -
US: Not looking for Iran confrontation
US state Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that the Obama adminis=
tration was working to solve the Iranian nuclear crisis through "tough dipl=
The US is looking forward to the IAEA report on Iran's nuclear progress and=
hope that it will lead to a hardening of the international position toward=
s the Islamic Republic. She noted that the US has said time after time that=
it isn't seeking a military confrontation with Iran and that it remains th=
e US position.
Barak meets British foreign secretary to discuss Iran
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has met with British Foreign Secretary William =
Hague to discuss the Iranian nuclear program, among other hot button region=
al issues. The two also conferred about the crisis in Syria, the strained t=
ies between Israel and Turkey and ways to renew the peace talks with the Pa=
Various reports have surfaced recently over a possible Israeli attack on th=
e Iranian nuclear facilities, while others have alleged that the UK has beg=
an preparing for its own strike on the Islamic Republic.
Barak talks peace process, Iran with UK's Hague
By JPOST.COM STAFF
11/03/2011 14:55
Defense Minister Ehud Barak held a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Willia=
m Hague in London on Thursday, in which the two discussed a range of issues=
including restarting the peace process with the Palestinians and strengthe=
ning Israel in the international community. The two also spoke about wide-r=
anging challenges faced by Israel, such as recent events in the Gaza Strip,=
Hezbollah and the Iranian nuclear program.
Following the meeting, Barak said that "relations between Britain and Israe=
l are very important for the security of Israel and in international strugg=
les considering the special standing Britain holds in the Middle East and i=
n Europe."
The defense minister was scheduled to meet with his British counterpart Phi=
lip Hammond later Thursday.
NATO leader says alliance has no intention of intervening in Iran
By Associated Press, Thursday, November 3, 9:26 AM
BRUSSELS =E2=80=94 NATO has =E2=80=9Cno intention whatsoever=E2=80=9D of in=
tervening in Iran, the alliance=E2=80=99s top official said in response to =
reports that some governments may be planning a military strike against Teh=
ran=E2=80=99s nuclear program.
The U.S. and other leading Western governments believe that Iran is intendi=
ng to develop a nuclear arsenal, and Tehran=E2=80=99s failure to suspend it=
s nuclear activities has already led to several sets of U.N. sanctions. But=
Iran maintains its nuclear program is exclusively civilian, aimed only at =
producing electricity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly trying to persuade =
his Cabinet to authorize a strike. Israel, which considers Tehran its bigge=
st threat, has successfully tested a missile believed capable of carrying a=
nuclear warhead to Iran.
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO supports political and di=
plomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear issue and urged Iran to comply with=
U.N. resolutions and stop its uranium enrichment programs.
=E2=80=9CLet me stress that NATO has no intention whatsoever to intervene i=
n Iran, and NATO is not engaged as an alliance in the Iran question,=E2=80=
=9D he said.
However, Fogh Rasmussen declined to comment on reports that Israeli air for=
ce jets conducted drills last week at a NATO air base in Italy. They were s=
aid to be practicing long-range sorties from the Decimomannu base on the Sa=
rdinia island and included combat aircraft, aerial refueling tankers and el=
ectronic warfare and control planes.
Later Thursday, Italian Defense Ministry spokesman Capt. Emiliano Biasco co=
nfirmed that an exercise involving Israel and other countries was held at D=
ecimomannu in late October. He declined to give more details.
NATO cooperates closely with Israel as part of a group of friendly nations =
in the region, known as the Mediterranean Dialogue. Israeli warships have p=
articipated in exercises with NATO ships in the eastern Mediterranean.
Fogh Rasmussen visited the Jewish state earlier this year.
Tensions in the Middle East have peaked just after Turkey =E2=80=94 a NATO =
member and Iran=E2=80=99s neighbor =E2=80=94 agreed in September to host an=
early warning radar as part of a planned NATO missile defense system aimed=
at countering a possible threat from Iranian missiles.
Iran has blamed Israel and the United States for disruptions in its nuclear=
program, including the mysterious assassinations of a string of Iranian nu=
clear scientists and a computer virus that wiped out some of Iran=E2=80=99s=
nuclear centrifuges.
Tehran has also insisted that the international community deal with the iss=
ue of Israel=E2=80=99s own nuclear weapons. The Jewish state is widely beli=
eved to have accumulated a sizable arsenal, although it has never officiall=
y acknowledged possession of such weapons.
'Barak compromised state security'
Senior state official says defense minister isn't interested in attacking I=
ran, but forcing issue onto public agenda to justify his gov't role
A senior state official accused Defense Minister Ehud Barak of compromising=
state security by pushing a possible Israeli strike on Iran onto the publi=
c agenda.
"It was a cynical and irresponsible move that compromises the security of t=
he State of Israel," the source told Ynet.
"(Barak) has briefed quite a few senior reporters lately in an attempt to c=
onvince them that an attack on Iran is the right decision," the official ad=
ded. "This is how he brought the issue onto the agenda in an unusual and ir=
responsible manner."
According to the official, the defense minister's pursuit of the issue has =
steered the state "into a system-wide delirium of unprecedented proportions=
and severity, which might draw in the entire Middle East."
'Barak not interested in attack'
The top official suggested that Barak might not be interested in military a=
ction against Iran, "but is playing this card in order to manipulate the pr=
ime minister and his advisors, thus justifying his role in the government.=
"Without the Iranian issue, he has no right to exist in the government," th=
e official claimed.
If Barak was sincere in his support of the attack, the official asserted, h=
e wouldn't be briefing reporters or "generating spin" over the sensitive su=
"Such issues are considered a top secret that few are privy to," the offici=
al explained. "This why it isn't logical and isn't' responsible for an Isra=
eli defense minister to involve reporters or other people in the issue, whi=
le also supporting military action."
While the public discourse on the possible strike on Iran gained momentum, =
IAF fighter jets conducted a lengthy exercise in Sardinia, Italy, Ynet lear=
ned, a drill that was completed recently.
On Wednesday, the defense establishment tested its ballistic missile propul=
sion system out of the Palmachim Airbase, and Home front Command conducted =
a drill that simulated rocket attacks. The drill was expected to continue i=
nto Thursday.
Also on Wednesday, Iran's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hassan Fair=
ouz Abadi responded to the alleged Israeli threat, warning that Tehran woul=
d retaliate with a "surprising punishment" if Israel decided to pursue such=
a "mistake."
UK military steps up plans for Iran attack amid fresh nuclear fears
British officials consider contingency options to back up a possible US act=
ion as fears mount over Tehran's capability
Nick Hopkins
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 2 November 2011 15.21 GMT
Britain's armed forces are stepping up their contingency planning for poten=
tial military action against Iran amid mounting concern over Tehran's nucle=
ar enrichment programme, the Guardian has learned.
The Ministry of Defence believes the US may decide to fast-forward plans fo=
r targeted missile strikes at some key Iranian facilities. British official=
s say that if Washington presses ahead it will seek, and receive, UK milita=
ry help for any mission, despite some deep reservations within the coalitio=
n government.
In anticipation of a potential attack, British military planners are examin=
ing where best to deploy Royal Navy ships and submarines equipped with Toma=
hawk cruise missiles over the coming months as part of what would be an air=
- and sea-launched campaign.
The Guardian has spoken to a number of Whitehall and defence officials over=
recent weeks who said Iran was once again becoming the focus of diplomatic=
concern after the revolution in Libya.
They made clear the US president, Barack Obama, has no wish to embark on a =
new and provocative military venture before next November's US election. Bu=
t they warned the calculus could change because of mounting anxiety over in=
telligence gathered by western agencies, and the more belligerent posture t=
hat Iran appears to have been taking.
One senior Whitehall official said the regime had proved "surprisingly resi=
lient" in the face of sanctions, and sophisticated attempts by the west to =
cripple its nuclear enrichment programme had been less successful than firs=
t thought.
He said Iran appeared to be "newly aggressive =E2=80=93 and we are not quit=
e sure why", citing three recent assassination plots on foreign soil that t=
he intelligence agencies say were co-ordinated by elements in Tehran.
On top of that, the agencies now believe Iran has restored all the capabili=
ty it lost in a sophisticated cyber-attack last year.
The Stuxnet computer worm, thought to have been engineered by the Americans=
and Israelis, sabotaged many of the centrifuges the Iranians were using to=
enrich uranium.
Up to half of Iran's centrifuges were disabled by Stuxnet or were thought t=
oo unreliable to work, but diplomats believe this capability has now been r=
ecovered, and the International Atomic Energy Authority believes it may eve=
n be increasing.
Ministers have also been told that the Iranians have been moving some new, =
more efficient centrifuges into the heavily fortified military base dug ben=
eath a mountain at the city of Qom.
The concern is that the centrifuges, which can be used to enrich uranium fo=
r use in weapons, are now so well protected within the site that missile st=
rikes may not be able to reach them. The senior Whitehall source said the I=
ranians appeared to be shielding "material and capability" inside the base.
Another Whitehall official, with knowledge of Britain's military planning, =
said that within the next 12 months Iran may have hidden all the material i=
t needs to continue a covert weapons programme inside fortified bunkers. He=
said this had necessitated the UK's planning being taken to a new level.
"Beyond [12 months], we couldn't be sure our missiles could reach them," th=
e source said. "So the window is closing, and the UK needs to do some sensi=
ble forward planning. The US could do this on their own but they won't. So =
we need to anticipate being asked to contribute. We had thought this would =
wait until after the US election next year, but now we are not so sure. Pre=
sident Obama has a big decision to make in the coming months because he won=
't want to do anything just before an election."
Another source added there was "no acceleration towards military action by =
the US, but that could change". Next spring could be a key decision-making =
period, the source said.
The MoD has a specific team considering the military options against Iran. =
The Guardian has been told that planners expect any campaign to be predomin=
antly waged from the air, with some naval involvement, using missiles such =
as the Tomahawks, which have a range of 800 miles. There are no plans for a=
ground invasion, but "a small number of special forces" may be needed on t=
he ground, too.
The RAF could also provide air-to-air refuelling and some surveillance capa=
bility, should it be required. British officials say any assistance would b=
e cosmetic: the US could act on its own but would prefer not to.
An MoD spokesman said: "The British government believes that a dual track s=
trategy of pressure and engagement is the best approach to address the thre=
at from Iran's nuclear programme and avoid regional conflict. We want a
negotiated solution - but all options should be kept on the table."
The MoD says there are no hard-and-fast blueprints for conflict but insider=
s concede that preparations at headquarters and at the Foreign Office have =
been under way for some time.
One official said: "I think that it is fair to say that the MoD is constant=
ly making plans for all manner of international situations. Some areas are =
of more concern than others.
"It is not beyond the realms of possibility that people at the MoD are thin=
king about what we might do should something happen on Iran. It is quite li=
kely that there will be people in the building who have thought about what =
we would do if commanders came to us and asked us if we could support the U=
S. The context for that is straightforward contingency planning."
Washington has been warned by Israel against leaving any military action un=
til it is too late. Western intelligence agencies say Israel will demand th=
at the US act if Jerusalem believes its own military cannot launch successf=
ul attacks to stall Iran's nuclear programme. A source said the "Israelis w=
ant to believe that they can take this stuff out", and will continue to agi=
tate for military action if Iran continues to play hide and seek.
It is estimated that Iran, which has consistently said it is interested onl=
y in developing a civilian nuclear energy programme, already has enough enr=
iched uranium for between two and four nuclear weapons.
Experts believe it could be another two years before Tehran has a ballistic=
missile delivery system. British officials admit to being perplexed by wha=
t they regard as Iran's new aggressiveness, saying that they have been show=
n convincing evidence that Iran was behind the murder of a Saudi diplomat i=
n Karachi in May, as well as the audacious plot to assassinate the Saudi am=
bassador in Washington, which was uncovered last month. "There is a clear d=
otted line from Tehran to the plot in Washington," said one.
The International Atomic Energy Authority is due to publish its latest repo=
rt on Iran this month. Earlier this year, it reported that it had evidence =
Tehran had conducted work on a highly sophisticated nuclear triggering tech=
nology that could only be used for setting off a nuclear device. It also sa=
id it was "increasingly concerned about the possible existence in Iran of p=
ast or current undisclosed nuclear-related activities involving military-re=
lated organisations, including activities related to the development of a n=
uclear payload for a missile."
Last year, the UN security council imposed a fourth round of sanctions on I=
ran to try to deter Tehran from pursuing any nuclear ambitions.
Last weekend, the New York Times reported that the US was looking to build =
up its military presence in the region, with one eye on Iran. According to =
the paper, the US is considering sending more naval warships to the area, a=
nd is seeking to expand military ties with the six nations in the Gulf Co-o=
peration Council: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emi=
rates and Oman.
Lieberman: Iran poses most dangerous threat to world order
Published 10:40 02.11.11
Latest update 10:40 02.11.11
FM responds to recent reports that Netanyahu is trying to gain cabinet supp=
ort to attack Iran, says international community must prove its resolve aga=
inst the regime in Tehran.
By Haaretz
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that Iran poses the large=
st, most dangerous threat to the current world order, adding that Israel ex=
pects that the international community will step up efforts to act against =
Speaking to Israel Radio following recent reports that Prime Minister Benja=
min Netanyahu and Defense Minsiter Ehud Barak are pushing the cabinet to su=
pport an attack on Iran's nuclear sites, Lieberman rejected the public disc=
ussion on the subject.
"99% of all the reports have no connection to reality," he told Israel Radi=
o, but added that there is much that must be done regarding the Iranian iss=
"The international community must prove its ability to make decisions and e=
nforce tough sanctions on Iran's central bank as well as halt the purchasin=
g of oil."
Haaretz reported on Wednesday that Netanyahu and Barak recently persuaded L=
ieberman, who previously objected to attacking Iran, to support such a move.
Senior ministers and diplomats said the International Atomic Energy Agency'=
s report, due to be released on November 8, will have a decisive effect on =
the decisions Israel makes.
The commotion regarding Iran was sparked by journalist Nahum Barnea's colum=
n in Yedioth Ahronoth last Friday. Barnea's concerned tone and his editors'=
decision to run the column under the main headline ("Atomic Pressure" ) re=
positioned the debate on Iran from closed rooms to the media's front pages.
Reporters could suddenly ask the prime minister and defense minister whethe=
r they intend to attack Iran in the near future and the political scene wen=
t haywire.
Western intelligence officials agree that Iran is forging ahead with its nu=
clear program. Intelligence services now say it will take Iran two or three=
years to get the bomb once it decides to (it hasn't made the decision yet =
According to Western experts' analyses, an attack on Iran in winter is almo=
st impossible, because the thick clouds would obstruct the Israel Air Force=
's performance.
Israel test-fires ballistic missile: Israel Radio
JERUSALEM | Wed Nov 2, 2011 4:33am EDT
(Reuters) - Israel test-fired a ballistic missile from a military base in c=
entral Israel Wednesday, Israel Radio said.
The report said the launch was carried out from the Palmachim facility. It =
quoted a Defense Ministry statement as saying the launch was aimed at testi=
ng the missile's propulsion system. Israel has Jericho missiles widely beli=
eved to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Netanyahu trying to persuade cabinet to support attack on Iran
Published 00:51 02.11.11
Latest update 00:51 02.11.11
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who previously objected to attacking Ir=
an, was recently persuaded by Netanyahu and Barak to support such a move.
By Barak Ravid, Amos Harel, Zvi Zrahiya and Jonathan Lis
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are tryin=
g to muster a majority in the cabinet in favor of military action against I=
ran, a senior Israeli official has said. According to the official, there i=
s a "small advantage" in the cabinet for the opponents of such an attack.
Netanyahu and Barak recently persuaded Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, =
who previously objected to attacking Iran, to support such a move.
Although more than a million Israelis have had to seek shelter during a wee=
k of rockets raining down on the south, political leaders have diverted the=
ir attention to arguing over a possible war with Iran. Leading ministers we=
re publicly dropping hints on Tuesday that Israeli could attack Iran, altho=
ugh a member of the forum of eight senior ministers said no such decision h=
ad been taken.
Senior ministers and diplomats said the International Atomic Energy Agency'=
s report, due to be released on November 8, will have a decisive effect on =
the decisions Israel makes.
The commotion regarding Iran was sparked by journalist Nahum Barnea's colum=
n in Yedioth Ahronoth last Friday. Barnea's concerned tone and his editors'=
decision to run the column under the main headline ("Atomic Pressure" ) re=
positioned the debate on Iran from closed rooms to the media's front pages.
Reporters could suddenly ask the prime minister and defense minister whethe=
r they intend to attack Iran in the near future and the political scene wen=
t haywire.
Western intelligence officials agree that Iran is forging ahead with its nu=
clear program. Intelligence services now say it will take Iran two or three=
years to get the bomb once it decides to (it hasn't made the decision yet =
According to Western experts' analyses, an attack on Iran in winter is almo=
st impossible, because the thick clouds would obstruct the Israel Air Force=
's performance.
Netanyahu did not rule out the possibility of the need for a military actio=
n on Iran this week. During his Knesset address on Monday, Netanyahu warned=
of Iran's increased power and influence. "One of those regional powers is =
Iran, which is continuing its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons. A nuclear =
Iran would constitute a grave threat to the Middle East and the entire worl=
d, and of course it is a direct and grave threat on us," he said.
Barak said Israel should not be intimidated but did not rule out the possib=
ility that Israel would launch a military attack on Iran's nuclear faciliti=
es. "I object to intimidation and saying Israel could be destroyed by Iran,=
" he said.
"We're not hiding our thoughts. However there are issues we don't discuss i=
n public ... We have to act in every way possible and no options should be =
taken off the table ... I believe diplomatic pressure and sanctions must be=
brought to bear against Iran," he said.
Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya'alon said he preferred an American mili=
tary attack on Iran to an Israeli one. "A military move is the last resort,=
" he said.
Interior Minister Eli Yishai has not made his mind up yet on the issue. In =
a speech to Shas activists in the north on Monday Yishai said "this is a co=
mplicated time and it's better not to talk about how complicated it is. Thi=
s possible action is keeping me awake at night. Imagine we're [attacked] fr=
om the north, south and center. They have short-range and long-range missil=
es - we believe they have about 100,000 rockets and missiles."
Intelligence and Atomic Energy Minister Dan Meridor said he supports an Ame=
rican move against Iran. In an interview to the Walla! website some two wee=
ks ago Meridor said "It's clear to all that a nuclear Iran is a grave dange=
r and the whole world, led by the United States, must make constant efforts=
to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The Iranians already have mor=
e than four tons of 3-4 percent enriched uranium and 70 kgs. of 20 percent =
enriched uranium. It's clear to us they are continuing to make missiles. Ir=
an's nuclearization is not only a threat to Israel but to several other Wes=
tern states, and the international interest must unite here."
Former Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said he feared a "horror scena=
rio" in which Netanyahu and Barak decide to attack Iran. He warned of a "ra=
sh act" and said he hoped "common sense will prevail."
On Tuesday, Barak said at the Knesset's Finance Committee that the state bu=
dget must be increased by NIS 7-8 a year for five years to fulfill Israel's=
security needs and answer the social protest. "The situation requires expa=
nding the budget to enable us to act in a responsible way regarding the def=
ense budget considering the challenges, as well as fulfill some of the dema=
nds coming from the Trajtenberg committee," he said.
Israel warns West: Window of opportunity to thwart Iran nuclear program is =
Published 01:06 01.11.11
Latest update 01:06 01.11.11
Envoys renew diplomatic push to counter Tehran's nuclear ambitions in Forei=
gn Ministry lobbying drive that began in mid-September.
By Barak Ravid
Israeli ambassadors in Western countries have been instructed to inform hig=
h-ranking politicians that the window of opportunity for imposing effective=
sanctions on Iran is closing, as part of a renewed diplomatic offensive ai=
med at using new sanctions to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb.
The Foreign Ministry campaign, which began in mid-September, seeks to convi=
nce the United States, European Union member states and other Western count=
ries to impose the sanctions immediately because Iran is continuing to deve=
lop its nuclear program.
"The significant progress that has taken place on all the components of the=
Iranian nuclear program should be emphasized, especially uranium enrichmen=
t," said a classified cable sent to Israeli ambassadors in several dozen co=
untries. "The Iranian program is military, and in light of International At=
omic Energy Agency reports, there is an increased fear that the Iranians ar=
e developing a nuclear warhead for ballistic missiles."
The ambassadors were asked to tell the equivalent of the foreign ministries=
and prime minister's offices in the countries where they are serving that =
there isn't much time left to stop the nuclear program through diplomatic m=
The sanctions campaign comes ahead of the planned November 8 release of an =
IAEA report, which is expected to reveal new details about the scope of Ira=
n's nuclear program. The IAEA is reportedly preparing to bring proof that I=
ran is attempting to build a nuclear bomb.
Israel and the U.S. are planning to use the report in a worldwide campaign =
to push for isolating Iran. Sanctions suggested by Israeli representatives =
in recent talks with the U.S., France, Britain and Germany include banning =
contact with Iran's central bank and banning the purchase of Iranian crude =
oil. Israeli officials also suggested imposing additional sanctions on Iran=
ian airlines and ships.
Israeli officials noticed last month that international interest in stoppin=
g Iran was flagging, said a senior Foreign Ministry official. "Internationa=
l and Israeli attention was focused on the Arab Spring, on flotillas to Gaz=
a and on the Palestinian move in the UN," he said.
Foreign Ministry officials were concerned that the reduced attention Iran w=
as receiving made its pursuit of a nuclear program seem less urgent.
"There's a feeling that even though the sanctions are harming Iran, the tec=
hnological timetable is faster than the diplomatic timetable," said another=
Foreign Ministry official. "Now is the time to intensify the steps against=
Iran. The pressure influences Iran, and the present circumstances require =
us to increase that pressure. The Iranians are preparing a technological in=
frastructure that will enable them to have a breakthrough as they head for =
nuclear weapons within a short time span. If Iran passes this technological=
threshold, the ramifications will be severe - especially in light of the w=
eakening of regional stability following the Arab Spring."
A few days ago, the ambassadors received another cable, directing them to h=
ighlight the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Wa=
shington. "You should emphasize that this incident indicates the need to is=
olate Iran," the cable said.
The Israeli ambassadors were also informed that Iran is boosting arms smugg=
ling to Syria, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah.
According to Israeli intelligence information, Iran has been carrying out l=
ow-level uranium enrichment at a stable pace, despite the existing sanction=
s. Iranian officials have been outspoken about their interest in tripling t=
he pace of producing uranium enriched to 20 percent, moving the centrifuges=
from a non-reinforced facility in the central Iranian city of Natanz to an=
underground enrichment facility in Qom. At the same time, Iran is continui=
ng to build a heavy water reactor in Arak, which would enable them to produ=
ce the plutonium needed for a nuclear bomb.
One of the Foreign Ministry officials said Israel wants Western countries t=
o impose the sanctions on their own because domestic politics and leadershi=
p changeovers in Russia and China in 2012, along with the U.S. and French p=
residential elections, will make it impossible to secure another UN Securit=
y Council resolution approving sanctions.
Although Israel's latest push for sanctions is new, diplomatic efforts to t=
hwart the Iranian nuclear program are ongoing, one of the Foreign Ministry =
officials said. An interministerial task force headed by Yaakov Amidror, th=
e national security adviser, meets every few weeks to coordinate the diplom=
atic efforts. Other members of the task force include representatives of th=
e foreign and defense ministries, the IDF and the Mossad.
Iran to negotiate resumption of nuclear talks with 5+1 group- official
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson has said that EU High Representative C=
atherine Ashton's letter to Iranian officials regarding the resumption of n=
uclear talks is being examined by the Iranian authorities and that the date=
and venue of future negotiations would be announced later.
Speaking at a weekly news conference, which was broadcast live by IRINN sta=
te-run TV channel on 1 November, Ramin Mehmanparast said: "The issue of neg=
otiations with the 5+1 group and Ms Ashton's letter is being examined by th=
e Iranian negotiating delegation under the supervision of Dr [Sa'id] Jalili=
[Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council ]".
He said that the two sides would exchange views on the content, date and ve=
nue of negotiations.
Source: Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in Persian 0654gmt 0=
1 Nov 11
BBC Mon Alert TCU ME1 MEPol ec
=C2=A9 Copyright British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Israel plays "minor" role in pressure on Iran - diplomatic sources
Text of report by Israeli public radio station Voice of Israel Network B on=
1 November
Senior diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said that Israel plays a minor role =
in the pressure being placed on Iran, and that the leaders in this case are=
the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. The sources sa=
id that Israel is working to persuade Washington and other countries to up =
economic sanctions on Tehran by means of high-level political talks between=
the bureaus of the prime minister and the foreign minister, and world lead=
Foreign Minister Lieberman said economic pressure on Iran would be effectiv=
e only if it includes sanctions on Iran's energy industry and on its centra=
l bank. This was reported by our political correspondent Shmu'el Tal.
Source: Voice of Israel, Jerusalem, in Hebrew 0500 gmt 1 Nov 11
BBC Mon ME1 MEEauosc 011111 jn
Iran to negotiate resumption of nuclear talks with 5+1 group- official
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson has said that EU High Representative C=
atherine Ashton's letter to Iranian officials regarding the resumption of n=
uclear talks is being examined by the Iranian authorities and that the date=
and venue of future negotiations would be announced later.
Speaking at a weekly news conference, which was broadcast live by IRINN sta=
te-run TV channel on 1 November, Ramin Mehmanparast said: "The issue of neg=
otiations with the 5+1 group and Ms Ashton's letter is being examined by th=
e Iranian negotiating delegation under the supervision of Dr [Sa'id] Jalili=
[Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council ]".
He said that the two sides would exchange views on the content, date and ve=
nue of negotiations.
Source: Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in Persian 0654gmt 0=
1 Nov 11
BBC Mon Alert TCU ME1 MEPol ec
US fears uncoordinated Israeli strike on Iran
Washington concerned Israel will mount military operation against Islamic R=
epublic, State Department official says. US consequently putting greater pr=
essure on Security Council to impose harsher sanctions on Iran
Alex Fishman
Published: 10.31.11, 10:24 / Israel News
Fearing an uncoordinated Israeli attack against Iran, the United States is =
working on several levels to pressure the UN's Security Council into imposi=
ng harsher sanctions on Iran, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.
A senior US State Department official said there was growing concern among =
Obama administration officials ahead of an IAEA report set to be published =
in November indicating considerable progress in Tehran's development of its=
military nuclear program.
The US is concerned that the report may trigger Israeli actions against the=
Islamic Republic which may not necessarily be in line with US interests in=
the region.
The official said that Washington's reevaluation of an Israeli strike in Ir=
an is based on various maneuvers Israel has performed in the past few years.
The US administration is now bent on exercising more pressure on Tehran in =
order to dissuade Israel from this path, the source said.
Washington is therefore pressing China and Russia who are currently opposed=
to the publication of the IAEA report. The report may cause embarrassment =
to both countries who are strongly against harsher sanctions on Iran.
According to the US official, it is possible that the report, coupled with =
the exposure of the US evaluation of Israeli potential to strike Iran, will=
encourage Russia and China to support the US initiative to aggravate penal=
measures against Tehran.
Pressing UN
US concern over an Israeli move is so great, the official said, that Washin=
gton is working on several levels to pressure the Security Council.
This includes appealing to the Security Council to condemn Iran for its att=
empt to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington.
Last week, it was reported that many Israelis are concerned that Prime Mini=
ster Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided on an attac=
k on Iran's nuclear reactors. The US is naturally also concerned over such =
plans which may send the entire region into a whirlwind.
On Saturday, the New York Times reported that the United States plans to bo=
lster its military presence in the Gulf after the withdrawal of its troops =
from Iraq.
Citing unnamed officials and diplomats, the newspaper said the repositionin=
g could include new combat forces in Kuwait able to respond to a collapse o=
f security in Iraq or a military confrontation with Iran.
Orly Azoulay and AFP contributed to this report
Barak: Israel has not already decided to strike Iran
Latest update 10:49 31.10.11
Defense Minister Ehud Barak tells Army Radio that all options are on the ta=
ble in terms of dealing with Iran; says that Israelis should not fear the I=
ranian threat.
By Haaretz
Amidst a flurry of recent reports regarding a possible Israeli attack again=
st Iran, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday that he and Prime Minis=
ter Benjamin Netanyahu have not already decided that Israel will conduct su=
ch a strike.
"It does not take a genius to understand that in Israel in 2011 two people =
cannot decide to do something on their own," Barak said in an interview on =
Army Radio. "That may have been appropriate in Israel in 2006. In the Defen=
se Ministry, there are thousands of pages of discussion on this subject, in=
the presence of dozens of ministers, military personnel and experts."
Regarding the question as to why there was no public debate on a matter so =
fateful to Israel, Barak said, "the Iranian nuclear program has been public=
ly debated for years in Israel. There are countless interviews and public d=
ebates. We do not conceal our thoughts. However, there are operational matt=
ers that we do not discuss publicly, as that would make them impossible to =
carry out."
Barak reiterated that Iran poses a threat to stability in the Middle East a=
nd the world. He said that all options are on the table in terms of dealing=
with Iran.
"I think that one has to use diplomatic pressure and sanctions on Iran," Ba=
rak said.
He added that Iran has been a central issue that Israeli leaders have discu=
ssed with other world leaders in recent years.
"There is great convergence between us and the Americans regarding the diag=
nosis and the characterization of the operation in Iran," Barak said. "We k=
now the Iranian leadership's goals, its determination and how it evades the=
world. We know what happened in Pakistan, we know what happened in North K=
orea and we see the immunity they have because of it. One should ask: Would=
Europe have intervened in Libya if Gadhafi had possessed nuclear weapons? =
Would the U.S. have toppled Saddam Hussein if he had nuclear weapons?"
Barak said that the Israeli public should not be concerned about the Irania=
n threat.
"I refuse to be intimidated, as if Iran could destroy Israel, " Barak said.=
"Israel is the most powerful country, from Tripoli to Tehran. There is no =
reason to be afraid of anything."
Also in the interview, Barak denied that Israel had negotiated a cease-fire=
with Islamic Jihad following the violence in southern Israel and the Gaza =
Strip in recent days. He also said that he views Hamas as responsible for a=
ll that occurs in Gaza.
Iran scoffs at US 'contradictions' in dialogue offer
29 October 2011 - 14H41
AFP - Iran on Saturday dismissed a renewed US offer of dialogue by Secretar=
y of State Hillary Clinton, saying the "contradictions" of pursuing talks a=
t the same time as threats undermined the proposal.
Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi made the comment at a joint media confere=
nce in Tehran with the visiting leader of the autonomous Kurdish region in =
neighbouring Iraq, Massud Barzani.
Salehi was responding to remarks Clinton made on Wednesday to Farsi-languag=
e programmes on BBC Farsi and Voice of America (VOA) in which she said Wash=
ington was "prepared to engage" with Iran, even as it maintains sanctions.=
Salehi was quoted by Iran's state television website as saying: "We have he=
ard such remarks a lot but unfortunately they are full of contradictions."=
He added that, "on one hand, they express interest in establishing relation=
s, and on the other hand some comments are made (by the Americans) which do=
not jibe with that."
Accusing the Americans of "arrogance", Salehi said that establishing relati=
ons would only be meaningful "when the two sides begin negotiations on an e=
qual footing and without preconditions -- however it seems that the time (f=
or rapprochement) has not arrived yet."
The United States and Iran cut off diplomatic ties more than three decades =
ago, after Islamic students in Tehran took US diplomats hostage in the then=
-US embassy.
They have been foes ever since and tensions heightened this month following=
US accusations of a plot by Iranian officials to assassinate the Saudi amb=
assador to Washington.
US officials have been consulting with other countries on ratcheting up san=
ctions on Iran.
Washington is pressing for the UN nuclear energy watchdog to condemn Iran o=
ver its controversial nuclear programme, which the United States suspects i=
s being used to build an atomic bomb -- something Tehran denies.
Clinton told BBC Farsi: "We are prepared to engage, if there is willingness=
on the other side, and we use sanctions... to try to create enough pressur=
e on the regime that they do have to think differently about what they are =
She also asserted Iran was deploying an "electronic curtain" by blocking Ir=
anians from freely accessing many US government and foreign websites, and s=
aid "one of my highest priorities" was to provide technology and training t=
o Iranians to circumvent the restrictions.
Clinton said US efforts to open channels with Iran's government have so far=
been in vain.
"We've tried to engage and have not yet been successful," she told VOA. "So=
we're looking at different sanctions, but we also continue to invite the r=
egime to negotiate."
Amos Gilad: Iran is massive threat that must be dealt with
In response to Yedioth Ahronoth article claiming Netanyahu, Barak seemingly=
pushing for military action against Iran, policy and political-military af=
fairs director stresses importance of prioritizing Iran threat
Yoav Zitun
Published: 10.28.11, 14:47 / Israel News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are extre=
mely concerned by the Iranian threat, and Defense Ministry Director of Poli=
cy and Political-Military Affairs Amos Gilad believes the matter must be a =
top priority.
"You need to know what issues to prioritize. In my opinion =E2=80=93 it's t=
he Iranian front," he told students at the Ashkelon College. His statements=
were made in response to a Yedioth Ahronoth article claiming that Netanyah=
u and Barak were seemingly pushing for action against Iran.
According to Gilad, Netanyahu "was the first who heard of Iran's forecasted=
move on the nuclear missile path and he sees it as a massive threat. The d=
efense minister understands the depth of the threat as well."
According to a Nahum Barnea article in Yedioth Ahronoth, published on Frida=
y, the heads of the armed forces =E2=80=93 Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Ga=
ntz, Mossad Chief Tamir Pardo, Military Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Aviv K=
ochavi and Shin Bet Chief Yoram Cohen share the opinion of their predecesso=
rs and are opposed to taking action against Iran at this time.
Former Mossad Chief Meir Dagan had previously stated that a strike against =
Iran was "a foolish idea" and warned against the disastrous consequences th=
at would follow such action =E2=80=93 an all out regional war.
Gilad believes that "Israel's main threat is Iran" and warned against compl=
acency: "We have experience with Israel arrogance when it comes to foreign =
statements. Khamenei said that there was no room for Israel; He said Iran n=
eeds to be treated like an empire equal in power to superpowers like the US=
. That motivation drives Iran to develop ballistic capabilities."
Gilad noted that while in 1999-2000 Iran did not have even one missile that=
could reach Israel, today Tehran has hundreds of missiles capable of cross=
ing a 1,500 kilometer radius within 10 minutes, as well as missile that can=
carry nuclear warheads.
"At the moment, there is no immediate nuclear threat, but there is definite=
ly a great deal of motivation and determination for it," he stressed. Until=
now, he noted, the Iranians were enriching uranium. "Today the status is t=
hat they are at the starting point =E2=80=93 they have uranium, they have t=
he knowledge but they don't create (missiles) because of media publicity wh=
ich is not initiated by them."
'Major game changer'
According to Gilad, the attempt to develop secret nuclear sites within Iran=
failed because the locations were published.
The good news, said Gilad, was that "the whole world is against the Iranian=
s, the sanctions are effective, but it doesn't change Iran's strategic dire=
ction or their motivation. Iran is determined to obtain nuclear weapons and=
that is a major threat to Israel. If they achieve their goal it would be m=
ajor game changer".
Asked about the timeframe of the Iranian threat, Gilad answered: "The balan=
ce of power changed the moment the Iranians decide to pursue it." As for th=
e question of whether Israel should attack Iran, Gilad noted that "all opti=
ons remained open."
Gilad then spoke about the Arab Spring and stressed the strategic importanc=
e of the peace treaty with Egypt. "It has a huge significance security wise=
," he said, adding: "This is the first time where there is a situation in w=
hich elections are being held in Egypt in 30 days and we don't know who wil=
l rise to power and how it will affect our relations with them."
The policy and political-military affairs director made it clear that the A=
rab Spring poses many threats to Israel. "The question is what will happen =
on the day after, in Egypt the results of the first elections are still unc=
Will Barak and Netanyahu Attack Iran Before Winter? MW: Note this is a tran=
slation of the original YNET article that started it all off. From Friday O=
ct 28. Cant find original in Hebrew
Yediot Ahronot - Nahum Barnea
Have the prime minister and defense minister settled on a decision, just be=
tween the two of them, to launch a military attack on the nuclear facilitie=
s in Iran? This question preoccupies many people in the defense establishme=
nt and high circles of government. It distresses foreign governments, which=
find it difficult to understand what is happening here: On one hand, there=
are mounting rumors of an "Israeli" move that will change the face of the =
Middle East and possibly seal "Israel's" fate for generations to come; on t=
he other hand, there is a total absence of any public debate. The issue of =
whether to attack Iran is at the bottom of the "Israeli" agenda.
It's true that the agenda is loaded with heavy issues: protests are trying =
to rise again; electricity bills are high; pre-meds are struggling for thei=
r right to be independent; Gilad Shalit is out of his house; Ilan Grapel is=
back - Ouda Trabin is not; a Grad missile is fired on Rishon Lezion: Ahmed=
El Gaabari and his fellows are our new Palestinian friends, they want to p=
rove for the world and themselves that the aura of glory didn't concern the=
m in the first place: In Gaza they have holidays and what's beyond holidays=
. All of these issues are substantial and influential but none is pivotal, =
perhaps that's why it's easy for everyone to be occupied by these issues in=
stead of worrying about confronting the Iranian nuclear weapons. It is easy=
to understand the difficulties. First and foremost, here are the facts: he=
who wants to delve into the problem will drown in a sea of technical data =
only experts understand.
Behind any report about centrifuges, there's a viewer who changed the chann=
el or a reader who preferred playing Sudoku. Second, out of secrecy, the fo=
rthcoming information is partial for the sake of who's relating them. Third=
, out of habit, the audience wasn't allowed to participate in Menachem Begi=
n's decision to hit the nuclear facility in Iraq, as no one has participate=
d in Ihud Olmert's decision (according to foreign sources) to attack the fa=
cilities of Syria. Because both attacks were a success, no one complained.=
Both attacks involved enormous risks: pilots could have failed to accomplis=
h the mission, could have been captivated and could have caused mass murder=
; Saddam's regime or Assad's regime could have militarily responded through=
terrorist attacks or firing missiles; foreign countries like the U.S. coul=
d have provoked a crisis. It was very heartening that opponents' disastrous=
predictions didn't come true, and the attacks were a complete success with=
no injuries or damages to our groups.
But will it succeed a third time? Yes, say military operation proponents, w=
hile opponents say "absolutely not". Iran is a totally different matter; it=
is state of a different region, regime, culture, atomic project, and of a =
different risk level.
The political and security commands are divided into different blocs, first=
one state that the advantages of this military operation are very limited =
and taking the risk is insane. Iranians will bombard Israel with deadly mis=
siles from Iran, from Lebanon via Hizbullah and from Gaza via Hamas. A regi=
onal war will be set off and it will destroy the state of "Israel". It's be=
tter for "Israel" to focus on the international group sanctions and hope fo=
r the best. Had Iran acquired nuclear weapons, it won't be the end of the w=
orld, while an "Israeli" attack just might be.
The second bloc says there's no rush.
They claim that Iranians need at least 2 more years, or two and half to hav=
e the project fully developed. Then they will encounter many obstacles. New=
presidential elections will be taking place in two years, so whether Obama=
in his second term or a republican in his first term, they will be solely =
held responsible for the attack of Iran. The regime may change in Iran. Man=
y things can happen in two years.
This week during my stay in Europe, I visited one of the senior U.S. diplom=
ats of a former administration. He said that "Israel" should back renewed n=
egotiations on international inspections as proposed by. But the Iranians a=
re bluffing; all they want is to gain more time. It's clear, he said, but i=
t will be easier for the U.S. and "Israel" to do business when the entire i=
nternational group publically confesses that the Iranians are deceitful. So=
me cabinet "Israeli" ministers subscribe to this perception, and they secon=
d a military operation as a last resort. They suspect that the growing pres=
sure for an immediate attack stems from "outside motives, whether personal =
or political." More on that later.
The third bloc includes heads of the armed forces - IDF chief of staff, mil=
itary intelligence chief, Mossad chief and Shin Bet chief. When the militar=
y operation issue was raised in a previous round, people who had occupied t=
hese positions respectively were: Gabi Ashkenazi, Meir Dagan, Amos Yadlin a=
nd Yuval Diskin. These four strongly refused the military operation. Those =
who occupy their positions now are: Benny Gantz, Tamir Brdo, Aviv Kochavi a=
nd Yoram Cohen. This replacement may have a long-term explanation, and Shal=
it's deal is an example that draws the attention: Diskin and Dagan both opp=
osed the swap deal; their opposition made the government's positions more r=
adical; while Choen and Brdo approved, and their approval permitted the swa=
But as we know, when it comes to Iran, they share the opinion of their pred=
ecessors and are opposed to taking action against Iran at this time. The di=
fference lies in the preparation of the struggle: the predecessors reached =
negotiations after years of success, and each at his organization enjoyed a=
firm public status. They looked steadfast and confident. The new ones are =
less famous, less stern and less experienced.
The way security decisions are made is clear: politician ranks decide and e=
xecutive ones apply. Refusing orders in not an option neither are the secre=
t gangs. But the procedure is much more complicated than what you learn in =
civics: the executive rank is an equal partner during the negotiations. It =
doesn't express his opinions in matters only related to its specialty, but =
in all the matters. No lines separating both ranks. Actually, the prime min=
ister cannot take a precarious decision if it was objected by the minister =
of defense, chief of staff, chief of Mossad, and chief of Shin Bet, togethe=
r or by most of them. He won't dare to, even if he had the support of the m=
ini cabinet majority. He also takes into account that if the operation was =
a failure, he may be brought before the commission of inquiry, exposed and =
unprotected, with no document to prove that he had the authorized rank's fu=
ll support.
That's why it is very important to know how the authorized rank expresses h=
is opinion - does he pound on the table like Maer Dadan used to do or he ki=
ndly and calmly restrains; is he an active player in the decision-making pr=
ocess or a puppet serving his superiors. This leads us to the forth bloc - =
to Benyamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, the Siamese twin of Iran's case. A ra=
re phenomenon occurs here in the concepts of "Israeli" politics, where the =
Prime Minister and Minister of Defense work as one Body for one purpose wit=
h mutual support and mutual eulogies. This harmony has been made only when =
one person took both positions. If we insist to dig into history we can cit=
e the rich cooperation between the Prime Minister Shamir and Defense Minist=
er Rabin. And what united them is their despise of Peres.
Both Netanyahu and Barak are being depicted as proponents of the military o=
peration. Netanyahu's thinking, since the beginning of his term, goes like =
this: "Ahmadinejad is Hitler; if he isn't stopped in time, there will be an=
other Holocaust. There are those who describe Netanyahu's attitude on the m=
atter as an obsession: All his life he dreamed of being Churchill; Iran giv=
es him the opportunity. The popularity he gained as a result of the Shalit =
deal didn't pacify him: the opposite, it gave him a sense of power."
Barak's motivations are more prosaic and to-the-point: He thinks that just =
as Israel knocked out the Iraqi and Syrian nuclear facilities in the past, =
so it must knock out Iran's now: "That's the strategy; that's the tradition=
He figures Dagan's opposition stems from psychological motives: As head of =
the Mossad, Dagan was credited with extraordinary achievements in jamming u=
p Iran's nuclear project. A military operation so soon after the end of his=
tenure would diminish the significance of those achievements
Moreover, some cabinet ministers suspect Barak is driven at least partly by=
personal motives: with no party or constituency behind him. Attacking Iran=
will be the big bang that will enable Netanyahu to put Barak among the 10 =
candidates of Likud in the next elections. Thus, he will maintain his posit=
ion in the ministry of defense. This seems as exaggerated doubt, for Barak =
doesn't need Ayatollah Khomeini to join Likud, Shalom Samhoun can arrange t=
his in a very peaceful way.
Now of all times, when the sense abroad is that Iran's nuclear progress is =
slowing, the rumors tell of pressure [in Israel] to act. One of the factors=
is the weather: Winter is coming, and in winter there are limitations. Oth=
ers look further ahead: They say that after winter comes spring, and then s=
Source: Hebrew Press, translated by moqawama.org
In First Persian Media Interview, Clinton Announces U.S. 'Virtual Embassy' =
In Tehran
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
October 26, 2011
By RFE/RL
WASHINGTON -- In her first-ever interview with the Persian-language media, =
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced that the United State=
s would soon launch a "virtual Tehran embassy" aimed at connecting with the=
Iranian people.
Clinton made the announcement on Voice of America's (VOA) Persian TV and al=
so in an interview with the BBC's Persian Service.
"What we're going to do, despite the fact we do not have diplomatic relatio=
ns, is I'm going to announce the opening of a virtual embassy in Tehran. Th=
e website will be up and going at the end of the year," Clinton said.
"We're going to continue to reach out, particularly to students, and encour=
age that you come back and study in the United States," she added. "And we'=
re going to look for other people-to-people exchanges that will try to deve=
lop the relationships that I think are so important between the American pe=
ople and the Iranian people, for the 21st century."
Clinton didn't provide details as to how the "virtual embassy" would functi=
on amid the Iranian government's strict censorship of the Internet.
Washington and Tehran have not had diplomatic relations since Iran's 1979 I=
slamic Revolution.
Reaching Out To 'The Iranian People'
In her interview with VOA's Persian television, Clinton spoke of Washington=
's desire to have an ongoing dialogue with the people of Iran and to suppor=
t their "legitimate" aspirations for freedom.
She described the country as moving closer to becoming a "military dictator=
ship," and said the United States had "no argument" with the Iranian people.
"We want to support your aspirations," she said. "We would be thrilled if t=
omorrow the regime in Iran had a change of mind and said, you know, 'Why ar=
e we suppressing the brilliance of our young people? Let's let the future o=
f Iran flourish,' and so we will try to help in whatever way we can."
The top U.S. diplomat said the current power struggle between Iranian Presi=
dent Mahmud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meant tha=
t the Iranian people have an chance to influence the future of their countr=
No Direct Aid To Opposition
In her interview with BBC's Persian news channel, Clinton also recounted th=
e actions that Washington took in the wake of the disputed 2009 presidentia=
l election in Iran, which led to massive street protests.
She said Washington did not actively support the opposition Green Movement =
following at the time, because it did not receive any requests for help fro=
m opposition leaders.
She said the U.S. government had listened to those Iranian voices who said =
Washington shouldn't take any action that could potentially compromise oppo=
sition members.
Clinton also emphasized Washington's efforts to circumvent the Iranian gove=
rnment's strict Internet filtering by providing tools and training to citiz=
ens. "We are trying to provide support to circumvent the electronic curtain=
so that there can be freedom of speech, there can be communication, there =
can be the opportunity for people to get together to discuss their concerns=
about the abuses of human rights that we see on a frequent basis," she sai=
Iran 'Must Investigate' Plot Allegations
Clinton also responded to questions submitted by the Iranian watchers of VO=
A's "Parazit" program and the BBC's Persian TV, submitted via YouTube, vide=
o, or e-mail.
A number of questions focused on U.S. sanctions against the Islamic republi=
c, which Washington and its allies have enacted in response to the country'=
s abysmal human rights record and questionable nuclear program.
Clinton said the United States wanted to enact the sanctions "in a way that=
doesn't impose suffering on the people of the country."
The secretary of state was speaking some two weeks after U.S. officials ann=
ounced an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U=
nited States in Washington.
In the days that followed, the Obama administration pledged to ratchet up t=
he pressure on Tehran, and the U.S. Treasury Department said it was conside=
ring sanctions against Iran's Central Bank, the very core of the country's =
Clinton said Iran should investigate the plot -- which it says is fabricate=
d -- on its own. "We would like Iran to conduct and participate in a UN inv=
estigation. We would like Iran to get to the bottom of this," she said. "We=
would like Iran's government to turn over the second defendant [indicted i=
n the plot], who is a member of the Quds Force."
Separately, Clinton said that Washington was still assessing whether to kee=
p the Iranian opposition Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (aka People's Mujah=
edin Organization) on its list of terrorist organizations. The group was be=
hind a series of deadly attacks in Iran but says it has renounced violence.=
It is also blacklisted by Tehran.
written by Golnaz Esfandiari
Clinton sees power struggle in Iran, =E2=80=9Cmilitary dictatorship=E2=80=
(AFP) =E2=80=93 Oct 26
WASHINGTON =E2=80=94 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday t=
hat Iran was "morphing into a military dictatorship" though a power struggl=
e within the regime means Iranians can influence the outcome.
Clinton said confusion about who is calling the shots in Tehran has also co=
mplicated US efforts to communicate with the Iranian leadership.
"It's been a little confusing because we're not quite sure who makes decisi=
ons anymore inside of Iran, which I think is an unfortunate sign and kind o=
f goes along with the ascendancy of greater military power," she told the B=
BC's Persian-language channel.
"I think Iran unfortunately is morphing into a military dictatorship."
She said Washington had tried many different approaches to communicating wi=
th Iran, and was open to "front channel, back channel" communications.
"But I believe there's a power struggle going on inside the regime and they=
can't sort out what they really are willing to do until they sort out who =
is going to do what," Clinton added.
"And therefore I think there's an opportunity for people within the country=
to try to influence how that debate turns out."
Iran nuclear talks could resume soon - EU's Ashton
21 Oct 2011 17:19
Source: reuters // Reuters
VIENNA, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Major powers are willing to meet with Iran withi=
n weeks if Tehran is prepared to "engage seriously in meaningful discussion=
s" on its disputed nuclear programme, the European Union's foreign policy c=
hief said in a letter to Tehran on Friday.
"When moving to continuation of our talks, it is crucial to look for concre=
te results," Catherine Ashton said in the letter addressed to Iran's chief =
nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.
"We have to ensure that when we meet again we can make real progress on the=
nuclear issue so that both sides can draw concrete benefits," said the let=
ter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.
Ashton has been handling contacts with Iran on behalf of six powers, which =
include the United States, Britain, France and Germany as well as non-Weste=
rn states Russia and China. (Reporting by Fredrik Dahl)
Qatar calls for Arab League to meet again on Syria
CAIRO | Sun Nov 6, 2011 9:28am EST
(Reuters) - Qatar's prime minister called for Arab states to meet next Satu=
rday to discuss the Syrian government's failure to take steps to solve its =
crisis, Egypt's official news agency MENA reported.
"Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, the Qatari Prime Minister, called for an emergenc=
y Arab League council meeting at foreign minister level next Saturday to lo=
ok at the latest developments in Syria," MENA said.
The meeting would discuss "the continuing violence and the government's fai=
lure to stick to its obligations under the Arab Action Plan to solve the cr=
isis in Syria," it said.
League circulates Syria''s reply to Arab plan
Politics 11/7/2011 3:43:00 PM
CAIRO, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- The Arab League received on Monday a letter from Syr=
ian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Muallem that includes measures taken by the g=
overnment to implement the Arab action plan to resolve the crisis in Syria.
The League's Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Ahmad Ben Hilli said in a =
statement today that the League has circulated the letter on all Member Sta=
tes right after it received it.
He said the letter tackled procedures carried out by the Syrian government =
to implement the Arab initiative.
Qatar, as current President of the Arab Ministerial Council and Committee o=
n the resolution of the Syrian crisis, has called for an emergency session =
next Saturday to discuss the situation developments in Syria in light of co=
ntinuing violence.
The Committee is expected to convene an emergency meeting late on Friday in=
Cairo to discuss the situation prior to the Council meeting the next day. =
(end) mfm.rg.tg KUNA 071543 Nov 11NNNN
US: Syrian broken promises will increase pressure on regime
Nov 3, 2011, 19:51 GMT
Washington - The Syrian regime will become increasingly isolated if it cont=
inues to make and break promises to end the violence against its citizens, =
the United States said Thursday as security forces reportedly killed more t=
han 20 people.
'It's now incumbent on the Assad regime to prove it - first to the Arab Lea=
gue, and secondly to the larger international community - that it meant wha=
t it said when it committed to this deal,' State Department Spokeswoman Vic=
toria Nuland said a day after Syria agreed on a deal with the Arab League t=
o end the violence.
'The Arab League will obviously draw its own conclusions if today, tomorrow=
, the next day, all of these promises that were made are again broken.'
The number of countries that have pressured Syria to no avail will continue=
to lose the regime friends and increase the pressure on Damascus, she said.
'We will predict that if (Assad) doesn't meet his promises to the Arab Leag=
ue, the Arab League is going to feel that they had promises made, promises =
broken, and they're going to have to react,' she said.
Syria urges insurgents to turn selves in for amnesty
04 Nov 2011 13:08
Source: reuters // Reuters
BEIRUT, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Syria has called on insurgents to turn themselves=
into authorities within one week starting on Saturday to qualify for an am=
nesty, state television said on Friday.
"The interior ministry calls on citizens who carried weapons, sold them, de=
livered them, transported them or funded buying them, and did not commit cr=
imes, to hand themselves into the nearest police station," it said.
"The interior ministry assures that those who turn themselves in ... will t=
hen be freed immediately and it will be considered as a general amnesty," i=
t said.
President Bashar al-Assad is confronting a popular revolt against 41 years =
of rule by his family. The protest movement has been largely peaceful, but =
a nascent armed insurgency has emerged in some restive regions. (Reporting =
by Mariam Karouny; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Syria breaking commitments to Arab peace plan: France
French government condemn Syrian security forces crackdown on peaceful prot=
esters saying that Syria is breaking its commitments to an Arab League peac=
e plan by continuing using violence against opposition
AFP , Friday 4 Nov 2011
France said Friday that Syria was breaking its commitments to an Arab Leagu=
e peace plan by continuing a deadly crackdown on protesters and cast doubt =
on President Bashar al-Assad's dedication to the deal.
"The continuing repression can only strengthen the international community'=
s doubts about the Syrian regime's sincerity to implement the Arab League p=
eace plan," the French foreign ministry's deputy spokesman, Romain Nadal, t=
old journalists.
"We understand that at least 20 peaceful protesters were killed by security=
forces yesterday in Syria," he said.
"The continuing repression is completely contrary to the commitments given =
by the Syrian regime to the Arab League."
Syrian troops killed five civilians in protest centres on Friday as demonst=
rators took to the streets nationwide to test the regime's commitment to th=
e Arab peace deal.
Twenty civilians had been killed on Thursday -- the first day the hard-won =
agreement aimed at ending nearly eight months of bloodshed came into effect.
The peace plan calls on Assad to withdraw security forces from protest hubs=
and engage in a national dialogue with his opponents.
But Assad's opponents are sceptical about his readiness to rein in a brutal=
crackdown that the United Nations says has cost more than 3,000 lives sinc=
e mid-March.
Turkish, Qatari ministers meet in Istanbul
During the meeting, Ahmet Davutoglu and Khalid bin Muhammad al-Atiyah debat=
ed the agreement between Syrian administration and Arab League.
Turkish foreign minister met Qatari minister of state for foreign affairs i=
n Istanbul on Thursday.
During the meeting, Ahmet Davutoglu and Khalid bin Muhammad al-Atiyah debat=
ed the agreement between Syrian administration and Arab League.
Davutoglu briefed al-Atiyah on his meetings with Sudan's Foreign Minister A=
li Ahmed Karti and Arab League's Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi.
Al-Atiyah is visiting Turkey to hold talks regarding developments in Syria.=
He briefed Davutoglu on recent regional developments, particularly talks b=
etween Arab League and Syria.
Arab League and Syrian administration have reached an agreement on ending v=
iolence in Syria as soon as possible and releasing people who were arrested=
during revolt against the government.
Syria: Unofficial parties in Arab countries =E2=80=98funding terrorists=E2=
November 2, 2011
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Moqdad accused on Tuesday unofficial =
Turkish, Lebanese, Jordanian and Saudi parties of funding =E2=80=9Cterroris=
ts in Syria.=E2=80=9D
=E2=80=9CWe do not want to say that the Saudi, Turkish, Lebanese and Jordan=
ian governments are funding armed groups [in Syria], but we think that unof=
ficial parties from these countries are funding [terrorists in Syria]. We r=
equest these countries to not allow this happen,=E2=80=9D he told the Russi=
a Today channel.
Moqdad also said that there are parties that want to incite a civil war in =
Syria and that =E2=80=9Cthese parties are Muslim extremists, Salafis and dr=
ug dealers,=E2=80=9D adding that such parties aim to destabilize Syria.
The Syrian official also slammed Turkey following its recent statements on =
the Syrian situation and said that =E2=80=9Cno one has the right=E2=80=9D t=
o interfere in Syrian affairs.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Ankara =E2=
=80=9Cwill not stay silent=E2=80=9D on Syria.
Asked about UN reports that 3,000 have been killed since anti-regime protes=
ts began in mid-March, Moqdad said: =E2=80=9CSome international organizatio=
ns have lost their credibility because they see events with one eye. These =
organizations failed to mention that Syria has lost 1,150 security and army=
This is a day old, but was included in Grinstead's intsum this morning. Jus=
t want people to see it so that everyone knows that technically, Syria has =
not yet violated the terms of the AL agreement. They have two more weeks of=
killing spree allowed before they will technically be in violation.
They're planning to hold the negotiations in Cairo, too, according to the A=
L deputy sec gen. Over the next week or so we should see preparations made =
for who exactly is going to attend. [BP]
Arab League gives Syria 15 days to implement proposal
Nov 3, 2011, 22:05 GMT
Cairo - Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmad Ben Hali said Thursday t=
hat Syrian authorities have 15 days to implement provisions of an Arab Leag=
ue peace proposal before dialogue can kick off between the regime and the o=
'The Arab League proposal is still in its initial stage,' Ben Hali told the=
Dubai-based Al Arabiya television.
He added that dialogue between Syrian authorities and the opposition 'will =
take place at the Arab League's headquarters and under its auspices.'
Syria on Wednesday fully accepted an Arab League plan to end nearly eight m=
onths of bloodshed in the country, but on Thursday Syrian security forces k=
illed 20 people and wounded 50 others in a new wave of crackdown against pr=
o-democracy protesters.
The Arab League plan forsees a complete halt to the violence, the release o=
f protesters who have been detained since February, the withdrawal of force=
s from areas where there have been armed clashes, and granting access to de=
legates from the 22-member body and the international media.
More than 3,000 people have been killed, among them 187 children, in the cl=
ampdown the Syrian government has been carrying out against protesters sinc=
e the uprising started in mid-March, according to UN estimates.
Arab League says Syria approves Arab plan
Wed Nov 2, 2011 4:29pm GMT
CAIRO Nov 2 (Reuters) - The Arab League said on Wednesday the Syrian govern=
ment had approved an Arab plan for dialogue with the opposition and steps t=
o end seven months of bloodshed, according to a League statement released d=
uring a ministerial meeting in Cairo.
"The Arab League welcomes the Syrian government's agreement to the Arab pla=
n," the statement said, adding that it "emphasised the need for the immedia=
te, full and exact implementation of the articles in the plan."
"The Arab committee (overseeing the plan) is responsible for submitting per=
iodic reports to the ministerial council of the Arab League on the progress=
of carrying out the plan," it said. (Reporting by Ayman Samir; Writing by =
Edmund Blair)
Turkey: We=E2=80=99ve intercepted 3 Syria-bound weapons shipments from Iran
Turkey reportedly planning buffer zone along border with Syria
By Tha'ir Abbas
London, Asharq Al-Awsat- The situations in Syria entered a new stage yester=
day with signs of Arab-international-regional manoeuvrings emerging, which =
could lead to fundamental changes in the handling of the Syrian crisis.
Next to the extraordinary session that the Arab initiative committee will h=
old next Saturday to discuss the Syrian Government's failure to implement i=
ts obligations which it accepted in the Arab action plan for resolving the =
Syrian crisis, sources in the Syrian opposition have disclosed they have re=
ceived promises that the UN Security Council [UNSC] will hold a session aft=
er the Arab meeting to discuss a UN resolution to send international observ=
ers to Syria while Turkey has expressed its "readiness and ability" to esta=
blish a buffer zone on condition of getting an "Arab and international cove=
Turkish sources have told Asharq Al-Awsat that Ankara is coordinating on a =
=E2=80=9Chigh-level=E2=80=9D with both Qatar that chairs the Arab initiativ=
e and with the Arab League [AL] and Washington. They said Turkey was going =
to announce several sanctions in a message that Turkish Prime Minister Rece=
p Tayyib Erdogan was scheduled to address to the Syrians during his inspect=
ion of their camps inside Turkey but that was postponed "so as to make room=
for the Arab initiative and see what results it will have." But the source=
s pointed out that "with the escalation in the situation and the stalling o=
f the initiative, Turkey might raise the (sanctions) issue again." They add=
ed that Turkey was holding contacts with the UNSC member countries that are=
still hesitant, especially Brazil and South Africa which have very close t=
ies with Turkey, in order to persuade them to take a different stand.
The Turkish sources disclosed that Ankara has imposed what could be describ=
ed as sanctions on Damascus, like its total ban on the entry of weapons to =
Syria, this includes stopping three previous shipments from Iran, in additi=
on to "the careful examination" of particular banking transfers to business=
men loyal to the regime so as to pressure and prevent them from supporting =
it. They cited Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu about his country's=
readiness to impose a buffer zone all along the borders to protect the civ=
ilians and stressing that his country "has the readiness and ability to imp=
ose the buffer zone but we need an Arab and international cover."
Meanwhile, sources in the Syrian opposition have told Asharq Al-Awsat they =
have received promises of holding a new UNSC session this week whose agenda=
will include a draft resolution to send a team of observers to Syria. They=
pointed out that the mission of the "blue berets" would be to watch the Sy=
rian violations and hence protect the demonstrators from the daily killings.
On his part, Radwan Ziyadah, member of the Syrian National Council, told As=
harq Al-Awsat that the AL's next meeting on Saturday could be decisive "bec=
ause the regime has been given three chances so far and squandered them all=
. I believe this is enough to force the hesitant countries to take a stand.=
" He pointed out that "it is obvious that the Syrian regime will not stop t=
he killings but on the contrary, it is using all the army's firing power in=
shelling the cities" and added: "Things will be better if it (the AL) take=
s the right decision, demands international protection, and authorizes the =
UNSC to take the appropriate resolution. It will then be impossible for Rus=
sia and China to use the (veto) or even abstain from voting." He said "it w=
ould be a mockery and ridiculous for the AL to give the regime more chances=
after all it has done" and noted in return that the Syrian opposition's co=
ntacts with AL Secretary General Nabil Elaraby "showed an unusual seriousne=
ss" in addition to the opposition's contacts with countries Ziyadah describ=
ed as "hesitant" such as Sudan and Algeria which "showed a change in stands=
Leader of Free Syrian Army says not receiving arms from Turkey
Text of report by Turkish newspaper Milliyet website on 7 November
[ Interview with Colonel Riyad al-Asad of Free Syria Army in Antakya by Asl=
i Aydintasbas: "Riyad al-Asad versus Beshar al-Asad"]
Colonel Riyad al-Asad runs the Free Syria Army, which is undertaking the ar=
med struggle against the Syria regime, from within a camp in Antakya. The c=
olonel boasts: "We have 22 units and 15,000 soldiers in Syria."
Opponent who have left the army are pleased with Turkey's support, but unha=
ppy that they are unable to get weapons. Riyad al-Asad says: "There are off=
icers inside who do not want to open fire on civilians. There should at lea=
st be a buffer zone for them."
Up until now the popular uprising that has been going on in Syria since Mar=
ch has not had one known face or voice or leader.
However, the Free Syria Army, which is made up of officers who left the Syr=
ian army in recent weeks has suddenly gained the entire world's attention t=
hrough its armed actions against Beshar al-Asad's regime and because of the=
statements is making abroad.
The rebellion began in Dera on 8 March and has continued across the country=
with 4,000 people being killed and tens of thousands being arrested. So, h=
as it moved one step beyond being a street protest and become an armed resi=
In order to get an answer to this question we went to Antakya to speak with=
the officers of the Free Syria Army, which has begun an armed resistance a=
gainst Beshar al-Asad and which has been making its voice heard just recent=
Colonel Riyad al-Asad fled the Syrian army and sought asylum in Turkey when=
the uprisings began, and is the leader of the Free Syria Army. Claiming to=
be engaging in guerrilla action against the regime all over Syria, the mov=
ement is coordinated by two separate units deployed one in Antakya and one =
on the Lebanon-Syria border.
A Very Special Camp
The Free Syria Army (OSO) in Antakya is deployed in a 70-person camp holdin=
g a few colonels, captains and army families, and which is protected by the=
Turkish army. (There are other civilian camps in the same area housing tho=
usands of refugees from Syria.)
Ankara had given up hope in Damascus when Beshar al-Asad bloodily quelled t=
he Syrian people's demands, and insists that its protection of the officers=
or civilians who fled from Syria is for "humanitarian reasons." The offici=
als and regime opponents I spoke to stressed there were no weapons at the c=
amp and that no weapon training was being given. To date, there have been n=
o hit-and-run attacks into Syria from Turkey. However, the camps are being =
tightly protected by Turkey because of the consternation the OSO is causing=
in Damascus.
A Slim, Smiling Colonel
Colonel Al-Asad, whom we met at a secret location on a rainy day in Antakya=
, came to the meeting accompanied by the close protection team the Turkish =
authorities had given him. The colonel is in constant danger.
I made many interviews with Saddam's opponents who had fled the Iraqi army =
and with Peshmerga commanders fighting Saddam in northern Iraq back in the =
1990s. I know the "opposition" fabric in this region very well indeed. That=
is why I have to say I was surprised to see not a mustached commander with=
a pot belly but a slim, unassuming and smiling face before me.
During the long interview we made through an interpreter we discussed the c=
onditions in the Syrian army, the colonel's breath-taking escape to Turkey =
and the armed actions he had undertaken in Syria.
Let me state now that opponents all over the world always embellish when th=
ey speak. It is hard to believe that Colonel Al-Asad is running the 15,000-=
stong militia groups conducting a guerrilla war in Syria using a simple Nok=
ia cell phone and Skype on a sluggish internet connection.
Ankara, while protecting the Free Syria Army, is not giving it permission t=
o form a base of armed operations within Turkey. In fact, these is why some=
officers grew fed up with sitting in Antakya and watching events from afar=
, and have returned to Syria in order to continue "fighting."
There Is Embellishment And Truth Alike
However, this tale does have an element of truth to it. It is entirely true=
that there are serious numbers leaving the Syrian army, that officers and =
soldiers unwilling to bear arms against the people are seeking a place of r=
efuge, and that despite all the difficulties the OSO has become a legend wi=
thin the country. It is also true that some soldiers refused to fire and th=
at they have begun to conduct amateurish attacks in small groups.
In the end, the demise of the regime in Syria might not come at the hands o=
f the colonel in a business suit sitting across from me, but at the hands o=
f someone else entirely, or as a result of completely different dynamics. H=
owever, when it does come the Free Syria Army will have a role and a functi=
on, large or small, in the tale.
What Colonel Al-Asad knows very well indeed is that the world public, still=
not used to the speed of the Arab Spring, is exceedingly cautious about an=
adventure in Syria. The West has not yet "pressed the button" for the topp=
ling of Beshar al-Asad's regime. The clearest indicator of this is the lack=
of American, French or British officials coming and going to the camp in A=
ntakya. Even though Washington might occasionally interject saying, "Al-Asa=
d should go" there are no sanctions against Syria and no steps towards crea=
ting a "buffer zone." But this does not necessarily mean that the issue, wh=
ich will be placed on the world's agenda again when the prime minister goes=
to Hatay in the coming weeks, will not take on a completely different colo=
ur in 2012.
Why Are The Kurds Not Joining In The Protests?
The Syrian Kurds living in the Qamishlo region had remained distant from th=
e protests that were shaking up the rest of the country, right up until Syr=
ian Kurd leader Mi'shal Temo was assassinated last month. The first things =
the regime did when the protests began was to give the some of the Syria Ku=
rds "ID card" and citizenship rights, which had been denied them for 50 yea=
rs. After this, both the PKK and the KDP [Kurdistan Democracy Party] lead b=
y Mas'ud Barzani, who has some weight in Qamishlo, told the Kurds to "stay =
silent." We asked Col Al-Asad why the Kurds were not taking part in the att=
"The Kurds have been very shy when it comes to taking part in the demonstra=
tions. When the protests began the regime made some pledges to the Kurdish =
groups and gave 50,000 Kurds ID cards. The PKK told its supporters there no=
t to hold any demonstrations against the regime. In fact, a known cleric of=
Kurdish origins (Ramazan Buti) was sent to Aleppo. But the atmosphere is c=
Bashar al-Asad Will Only Be Removed By War, Not Persuasion
Colonel Al-Asad surprised me when he said they supported the offer made to =
the Syrian administration by the Arab League and that this was why they put=
their attacks on hold for a time. I assumed this caution might have come f=
rom Ankara. However, Riyad al-Asad does not think that an accord can be rea=
ched with Syria: "Bashar al-Asad will leave only through combat, not throug=
h persuasion. The Arab League gave Al-Asad an opportunity. But since then t=
hey killed 20 people in Humus. There are thousands of detentions in Damascu=
s, again. If he had really been honest he would have complied with the Arab=
League and withdrawn his tanks from the towns. But he knows his government=
will fall the moment he does this. He has been running the country for 11 =
years. If he were going to enact reforms he would have done so by now. Seei=
ng that the people adore him he should let it go and let the foreign press =
into the country."
Only Intelligence And Special Teams Being Targeted
[Aydintasbas] How many people are there in your group?
[Al-Asad] We have 22 separate units deployed in every region in Syria. Appr=
oximately 15,000 soldiers. We have telephone communications with every unit=
. S ome of the demonstrations recently have shouted slogans for us. We have=
carried out many actions against the army. Some of our ranking colleagues =
here have gone back to take charge of the units there.
[Aydintasbas] What kind of actions are you carrying out against the army?
[Al-Asad ] We call on the officers not to point their guns at people and to=
leave the army immediately. We are only targeting the Muhaberat (intellige=
nce) and the special units known as Shabiba. We are not targeting private s=
oldiers or the regular army. We generally employ guerrilla tactics because =
we do not have the heavy weapons for a straight up fight. We set ambushed. =
We have a great resistance in Rastan, and in other places too. We killed 10=
officers in the past week.
No Weapons From Turkey. We Wish There Were!
[Aydintasbas] What is the situation in the Syrian army?
[Al-Asad] The Muhaberat completely controls the army. It is said we are def=
ending the country from outside or Israeli-backed gangs. Some officers who =
refused to fire on the people were killed. (He lists names.) There are unit=
s that fled like we did or that fire into the air rather than kill people w=
hen sent to put down the protests.
[Aydintasbas] Where do you get your weapons from?
[Al-Asad] The forces within the country are already armed. We are able to g=
et weapons inside.
[ Aydintasbas] What about Turkey?
[Al-Asad] No. If only. Turkey is the only country that has opened its borde=
rs to us but Turkey is wary about giving us weapons. The New York Times wro=
te we were getting weapon training here, but that is not true.
The Free Syria Army was formed by officers who fled the army rather than fi=
re on demonstrators in Syria. They claim to be using guerrilla tactics insi=
de Syria.
The group's leaders live in Antakya and in Lebanon. Their strength might be=
over-exaggerated but their existence is enough to create panic in Damascus.
Al-Asad Says All Opponents Are Islamists -We Are Not
[Aydintasbas] How did you get out of Syria?
[Al-Asad] I have been in the army for 31 years. I was most recently serving=
in Idlib Province on the border. When the demonstrations began we received=
instructions saying, "Be alert. There are Israeli-backed armed groups in t=
he country." We were told to protect the country from armed gangs. Yet, the=
se were protests calling for reforms and freedoms. When the protests spread=
nationwide the Sunni officers such as myself came under a lot of pressure.
We were always being summoned to the Muhaberat centre in Aleppo. When demon=
strations began in the town where I was born they grew really suspicious. I=
was questioned. I was instantly transferred from Idlib to Hama, and I knew=
I would be killed if I did not run.
A few other officers under suspicion had been murdered in transit. I took m=
y family and came to the border.
[Aydintasbas] Bashar al-Asad told
Michael Wilson
Director of Watch Officer Group
221 W. 6th Street, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78701
T: +1 512 744 4300 ex 4112 www.STRATFOR.com

subset: commoncrawl