Venezuela moving up on the radar screen

A concerning development about Venezuela obtained from Breitbart: Venezuela Weighs Selling U.S. Jets to Iran

Caracas, Venezuela (AP) Venezuela is considering selling its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to another country, perhaps Iran, in response to a United States announced ban on arms sales to President Hugo Chavez's government, a military official said Tuesday.

Was this an excuse to sell F-16 aircraft or was it the reason why the United States suddenly announced that it was suspending arms sales to Venezuela?

General Alberto Muller, a senior adviser to Chavez, told The Associated Press he had recommended to the defense minister that Venezuela consider selling the 21 jets to another country.

Muller said he thought it was worthwhile to consider "the feasibility of a negotiation with Iran for the sale of those planes."

Even before the U.S. announced the ban on arms sales Monday, Washington had stopped selling Venezuela sensitive upgrades for the F-16 aircraft.

Chavez has previously warned he could share the U.S. jets with Cuba if Washington does not supply parts for the planes. He also has said he may look into buying fighter jets from Russia or China instead. Source Breitbart News Service: F-16 Sales.

Looks like Chavez is now moving up on the radar screen. He appears to be on tracking at a constant bearing, decreasing range. There appears to be a problem developing.

As Venezuela moves up on the target list, most Venezuela-watchers believe that Chavez is moving his country towards a command economy on the Cuban model and install a communist government. Venezuela is transforming into a radial government before our vary eyes.

Interestingly in April, Chavez ordered nationalization of foreign oil companies because, " This country does not allow itself to be blackmailed." Venezuela's Oil and Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said, "These two multinational companies resist adjusting to our law. Our sovereignty isn't under negotiation." Talk about blackmail. Chavez is trying to blackmail the United States and hold the Western Hemisphere hostage with his energy maneuvering.

The close link between Chavez and Iran does not come at a surprise, either. In a La Nueva Cuba news article several months ago Rijock claimed of a possible Hezbollah, North Korea, Iran, and Chavez government connection. Rijock claims that Iran has plans to ship missiles to Chavez in oil tankers so as not to be suspected. Chavez may transfer them to Cuba.

Financial Crimes Consultant Kenneth Rijock indicated separately that Isla Margarita, a semi desert island just off the coast of Venezuela, is home to Venezuela's Hezbollah contingent, Lebanese -Venezuelans. Rijock believes that when foreign agents enter Isla Margarita, they sometimes take up temporary residence in Cuba.

There is a lot more to Chavez than meets the eye. Perhaps he is on a collision course with the United States.

Technorati tags: International Terrorism, United States, murder, terrorists, Hezbollah, Socialist, Chavez, Americas, Venezuela, Laura Mansfield's Notebook, Asymmetric warfare, Civilian Militia, Jeffrey Goldberg, Rijock, Iran, Americas, news feed, journalists, Opinion

China, Cuba reported in Gulf oil partnership

Source of photo:
WISCO International
"U.S. firms stand by, prohibited from bidding on contracts; lawmakers propose opening up U.S. coast for drilling." There are now plans for foreign oil companies to explore and drill for oil off the coast of Cuba. Our own United States lawmakers have blocked U.S. oil wells for some time. Now they are fuming at these developments. To make matters worst, U.S. companies were invited to bid, but, were prevented from bidding because of "No Trade" regulations in place with Cuba. For the rest of the article go to: Gulf Oil Partnership

Our liberal legislators have blocked oil exploration off the U.S. coast and in Alaska for years. We have vast oil reserves off the coasts and in Alaska that remain untapped due to environmental restrictions and concerns for wildlife. We are going wake up a third rate country in a few years, if liberals such as Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Ted and Pat Kennedy, Dick Durbin, Joe Biden, and other liberals get their way. Liberals are too busy trying to regain power and sink our President to worry about "the wolves at the door."

While we were moaning about NSA monitoring and other "important" liberal agendas, Venezuelan Dictator Hugo Chavez was over in Europe politicking. Chavez' agenda was to drum up support for his country. Chavez promised to give poor Europeans oil. Looks like he has been making progress:

The president of Venezuela wants to provide cheap heating oil to Europeans on low incomes.

Hugo Chavez made his announcement at a gathering in Vienna of activists and representatives of social movements and non-governmental groups on Saturday evening.

Chavez worked out a similar deal to deliver discount heating oil this past winter to needy Americans in parts of the eastern United States.

"I'd like to do the same here in Europe," he said. Source: MWC News - A site Without Borders

Also the same information was found at Prensa Latina:

Vienna, May 14 (Prensa Latina) President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela will supply low-cost fuel to provide heating to the poor European communities, similar to the system in force at eight US states, through its two refineries in Germany and one at the UK.

He explained at the social forum alternative to the 4th European Union-Latin America Summit, that the oil company CITGO supplies 40 million gallons of oil to 180,000 US families plus 20 shelters at 40 percent discount.

He added that Venezuela's embassies will arrange the supply program with support from the social organizations that will ID and monitor that the supplies reach the needy. Source: Prensa Latina - Chavez: Fuel for Poor Europeans

Oil speaks louder than reason and America is going to wake up one morning being very much alone, similar to the way the Israelis feel in the Middle East. We are going to wake up being the piranhas of the west.

Technorati tags: Oil, Gulf of Mexico, Oil Exploration, Cuba, China, Venezuela, EU, Poor, Third World, Politics, Trade, Chavez, Castro, Foreign Relations, Energy, International, Threats, Oil Companies, US, Vienna, European, World, Fuel, Gallon, Price Index, Inflation, Opinion

Please level with us about "Emir" Ahmadinejad

Islamic Unity and US Embassy Annversary
stamp photos obtained from IranStamp.Com
President Bush please level with the American people about "Emir" Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad is not referred to "Emir" out of any kind of perverted respect; Ahmadinejad actually believes his is going to usher in the Khalifatullah (caliph of Allah).

Unfortunately the Dhimmis of the world community are trying hard not to become targets. How little do they know that they are the targets. Not long ago Ahmadinejad was simply thought of as a crackpot radical. However, since he was elected into office, Ahmadinejad has slowly gaining traction in the Global Village.

Madeline Albright and all the other kool-aide drinkers seem to think that they can make peace with Ahmadinejad through appeasement and diplomacy. Ask his own people, many who are oppressed and in dire straits, what they think of him. Ahmadinejad is very complex and will be extremely dangerous within the next decade. In April 2006, The UK Telegraph published an article about Ahmadinejad's ambitions, The Frightening Truth of why Iran wants a bomb by Amir Taheri:

Last Monday, just before he announced that Iran had gate crashed "the nuclear club", President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad disappeared for several hours. He was having a "khalvat" with the Hidden Imam, the 12th and last of the imams of Shiism who went into "grand occultation" in 941.

According to Shia lore, the Imam is a messianic figure who, although in hiding, remains the true Sovereign of the World. In every generation, the Imam chooses 36 men, (and, for obvious reasons, no women) naming them the owtad or "nails", whose presence, hammered into mankind's existence, prevents the universe from "falling off". Although the "nails" are not known to common mortals, it is, at times, possible to identify one thanks to his deeds. It is on that basis that some of Ahmadinejad's more passionate admirers insist that he is a "nail", a claim he has not discouraged. For example, he has claimed that last September, as he addressed the United Nations' General Assembly in New York, the "Hidden Imam drenched the place in a sweet light". Link to the source: The Frightening Truth......

One should sees that Ahmadinejad believes himself to be either "The Caller" or may be the one who will usher in "The Caller." Ahmadinejad believes he is on a mission from Allah. Last September Ahmadinejad told the mullahs, that as he addressed the United Nations' General Assembly in New York, the "Hidden Imam drenched the place in a sweet light"

And listen for the Day when the Caller will call out from a place quite near. The Day when they will hear a (mighty) Blast in Truth: That will be the Day of Resurrection. . . .We know best what they say; And thou are not one to overawe them by force. So admonish with the Qur'an such as fear My Warning! Source: Surah 50:41-45 Qaf (Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur'an, Amana Corporation, 1989.)

One must stay focused on Ahmadinejad's bizarre speeches. To illustrate Ahmadinejad's delusions of grandeur, lets look in al-Muntazar magazine:

Imam Mahdi (as): The Only Path to Global Security Again, the world is paying for
its deeds. Widespread global unrest, murders, killings, plunder, pillage, confusion, commotion, shortages and scarcities in the market, high prices of commodities, unreliability, straitening of sustenance, etc. are all results and consequences of human vices and misdeeds. Allah the Almighty has drawn the attention of man towards this stark reality in the Holy Qur'an long back. "Mischief is manifest in the land and the sea for what the people have earned." (Surah Rome (30), Verse 41)

The return of the Mahdi constitutes the most frequent prediction of the imams. Al-Kultani and Al-Nu'mani consecrated an entire chapter and Ibn Babunye passed down in thirteen chapters the predictions of the Prophet, Fatima and of the eleven imams on the subject of the Twelfth imam. One begins to see a correlation between Ahmadinejad's rants and these revelations from al-Muntazar Magazine.

Next time you hear Albright or one of the other political pundits give their opinions regarding Ahmadinejad, be skeptical and concerned. These pundits, whom we elect or appoint to protect us, do not understand the gravity of the situation. They, the political pundits, want to keep President Bush off balance and want their powerbase back, at any cost. And, Ahmadinejad wants to establish the Khalifatullah as promised in the Qur'an.

It will take every option at our disposal to gain control of the situation. War may not be the answer, perhaps regime change by the people may be the answer. However, if preemptive measures must be taken, that option need to remain on the table. The decisions are going to be difficult and may be painful. But, our own leader must be honest with the people and be decisive if the situation develops.

Sources used for this op-ed:

• al-Muntazar magazine: Imam Mahdi
• al Qiyamah, The Hidden Imam Mahdi
• Ansar Web: (Belief in) Infallibility
• Azadar Net: Bringing Azadari to Azadars
• Dua'a: Sahraz Imam Mehdi
• Telegraph UK: The Frightening Truth.....
• Hujjatullah (proof of Allah). Khalifatullah (caliph of Allah), Muntazar (The Awaited)
• Encyclopaedia of the Orient: Muhammad al Mahdi, The 12th Imam

Technorati tags: 12th Imam, Shi'ite, Islam, Ahmadinejad, superpower, Iran, Nuke, National Security, political, Imam al Muntazar, Terrorist, Khatami, Albright, Foreign Relations, Fissionable, Khamenei, Threats, War, US, ElBaradei, IAEA, Aghazadeh, Tehran, uranium enrichment, Nuclear, clandestine, Khalifatullah, Iran, Hujjatullah, Asadar, al Mahdi, al Qaeda, Infallibility, Caliph, Jihad, Opinion

The Iran Letter

Re-posted from TCSDaily with permission from the editor.

This opinion-editorial was written by Michael Rosen : Rosen's BIO 10 May 2006

We now know that in addition to a Holocaust denier, a fierce enemy of Israel, a nuclear aficionado, and an exponent of the Shia apocalypse, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fancies himself quite the defense attorney.

In a rambling, discursive letter cataloguing the iniquities of America and its leaders, Ahmadinejad asks President Bush dozens of pointed, rhetorical questions.[1] As petulant and accusatory as the missive is, though, it reveals volumes about the Iranian regime and its perspective on history and current affairs. American policymakers would do well to pay close attention.

The letter, thought to be the first direct communication between the Islamic Republic and the United States since 1979, attracted copious publicity on Monday. Newspapers, cable anchors, and talk radio buzzed rhapsodically about the possibility of a "diplomatic opening" between the countries, a possible step back from the nuclear brink. Even the Jerusalem Post quoted an Iranian spokesman as saying that the letter offered "new solutions for getting out of international problems and current fragile situation of the world."

Sadly, the fondest hopes of the media were dashed when the letter actually arrived in the U.S. (via the Swiss embassy) and was published by Paris's Le Monde.

The breathtakingly presumptuous correspondence begins with the Iranian leader wondering "how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena."
And then the questions begin.

First, Ahmadinejad asks President Bush, "Can one by a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH [Peace Be Upon Him]), the great Messenger of God" and at the same time attack countries, destroy people's possessions, and kill one hundred thousand people (in Iraq)?

In this inquiry, the Iranian president begins to cultivate his penchant for lawyerly tactics. He starts with a feeble attempt to build rapport with Bush -- a man of faith -- by appealing to his Christian nature (and, for good measure, adding his own praise for Jesus, who is also a Muslim prophet and whom he later describes as "the Messenger of peace and forgiveness"). But reminding the U.S. president of his Christianity serves another purpose, too: laying the trap for one of the many "contradictions" presented by Bush's barbaric behavior.

Ahmadinejad hammers home this point less subtly later on in addressing inmates at Guantanamo and in "secret prisons" throughout Europe who are deprived of legal representation and "international monitoring." Never mind that the mullahs have largely transformed all of Iran into a prison state: at least they may know a little something about giving the boot to international monitors.

Mahmoud's view is, instead: "I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the values outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e. the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH), human rights and liberal values."

He goes on to mention Jesus a total of ten times, devoting numerous paragraphs to his teachings and those of Moses and the Koran, where he quotes Jesus saying: "And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serves Him; this is the right path, Marium." (19, 36). Whether this is all meant as an ecumenical message of brotherhood or a more ominous prediction that Christians will soon be converted to Islam -- well, judge for yourself.

But consider this: the letter states that "changes happen fast and come at a furious pace" and that "the world is gravitating toward faith in the Almighty and justice." Read in light of Ahmadinejad's purported subscription to the esoteric, apocalyptic return of the 12th imam, the epistle to Bush appears menacing indeed.

Then the Iranian dictator really digs in on his favorite topic: Israel. By now, of course, he has established his reputation as an avowed opponent of the existence of the Jewish state.
He starts by observing that "the establishment of a new country with a new people, is a new phenomenon that is exclusive to our times" and that Israel didn't exist on a map 60 years ago. Ahmadinejad -- a self-described student and teacher of history -- seems to have forgotten that the Jewish people are about as ancient as the Persians and that a sovereign Jewish presence in the land now called Israel dates back 3,000 years.

His history lesson also encompasses World War II -- another pet project. In an elliptical passage that needs to be properly understood in the original Farsi, he writes that "after the war, they claimed that six million Jews had been killed...let us assume that these events are true." Well there's an improvement! The Tehran Terror at least acknowledges the possibility of the Holocaust. A diplomatic opening, perhaps?

Unfortunately not. This is just prologue to the standard script: Israel murders children, destroys houses, imprisons the innocent, etc. and the United States faithfully obeys, assiduously vetoing Security Council resolutions critical of Israel and funding the Jewish state. He takes Bush to task for pressuring the duly elected, Hamas-led Palestinian government into recognizing Israel.
Here, again, the lessons of history -- and democracy -- have eluded Ahmadinejad: the Palestinians were free to elect whomever they wished and, indeed, Hamas represents the values of a majority of its constituents. But if that government in turn chooses to repudiate the agreements solemnized by its predecessors -- namely, a recognition of Israel's right to exist -- it deserves none of the rewards promised in those treaties.

Meanwhile, in Israel, it's been a busy couple of days. On Monday, elder statesman Shimon Peres reminded Iran that it, too, could be "wiped off the map." And on Tuesday, the head of military intelligence acknowledged that Iran would acquire nuclear weapons by 2010 if its project proceeds apace. More disturbingly, he concluded that the Iranians have embarked on secretive projects that even Israeli intelligence cannot monitor. Oh, and on Sunday the London Times reported that Israel had foiled a plot hatched by Hamas, the Iranian surrogate in the region, to kill Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

But I digress; Ahmadinejad has so many more grievances to nurse. He waxes indignant about everything from America's Latin American policy to the 1953 coup that toppled Mossadegh in Iran to U.S. support for Saddam in the Gulf war to freezing Iranian assets to looting the natural resources of Africa to permitting homelessness and unemployment to take root at home, and so forth.

He even implies American connivance in the 9/11 attacks -- in the form of a question, of course: "Could [the attacks] be planned and executed without coordination with intelligence and security services -- or their extensive infiltration?" The U.S. is responsible for a cover up, for frightening its own citizens, and for warmongering in Afghanistan and Iraq. At times, it's easy to wonder whether he simply outsourced this letter to MoveOn.org.

But contrary to predictions that the missive wouldn't address the nuclear crisis, Ahmadinejad questions American opposition to the Iranian projects, wondering "in what other point in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime? Can the possibility of scientific achievements being utilised for military purposes be reason enough to oppose science and technology altogether?"

This final rhetorical question is one that policymakers here, in Europe, and at the UN will have to grapple with over the coming months and years. Given that harnessing the atom's energy can yield both peaceful and bellicose results, if we stick with the pure, technocratic, mechanistic approach set forth by the IAEA, the UN Security Council, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the like, it will be exceedingly difficult to convince the "international community" of Iran's malfeasance. We will surely find ourselves bogged down in a diplomatic quagmire of Moscow's and Beijing's making.

But if we open our eyes, actually pay attention to the words coming out of Tehran, and take those words seriously, we might build a united front in opposition to the hateful ravings of the mullahs. Fortunately, this letter provides us with just this opportunity; the State Department could begin by publishing it far and wide -- in Farsi and in translation.

Ahmadinejad concludes his epistle by claiming, quite correctly, that "History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive." Here's hoping that his is among them.
Michael M. Rosen, TCS Daily's IP columnist, is an attorney in San Diego.

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

[1] If the whole situation weren't so tragic, it would call to mind the following classic exchange from the 7th season of The Simpsons:

Mona: (singing "Blowin' with the Wind" with Lisa) How many roads must a man walk down, before you can call him a man....

Homer: (interrupts out of nowhere) Mmmmmm....Seven?

Lisa: No Dad, it's a rhetorical question.

Homer: (trying to think) Rhetorical, ey....Eight?

Lisa: Do you even know what 'rhetorical' means?

Homer: Do I know what "rhetorical" means?

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

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Technorati tags: 12th Imam, Shi'ite, Islam, Ahmadinejad, superpower, Iran, Nuke, National Security, Foreign Relations, political, Imam al Muntazar, Terrorist, Khatami

US Troops to be assigned to U.S. - Mexico Border?

According to a news story posted by the New York Times, Friday, May 12, 2006, Pentagon Is Considering Sending Troops to U.S.-Mexican Border.

The story went on to say that an unnamed defense official indicated that the Pentagon has begun drawing up plans to send troops and equipment to the border where hundreds of thousands of migrants enter the country illegally each year. Friday evening, Fox News weighed in saying that plan may include state National Guard personnel, at the discretion of their southern state governors. Fox News mentioned that it may include a provision for reimbursement by the federal government.

Bos'un Comment: Immigration has emerged as one of the top political issues of 2006. Our pundits are jumping into it with various degrees of enthusiasm. Our social engineers of the left helped to stage a nationwide day of protest to put pressure on the Democrats and Republicans. Although the turnout was large, especially in Los Angeles, the day of protest did nothing more than offer illegals and sympathizers a day off to party. Actually, the day helped ease traffic congestion. Our head "amnestiest," President George W. Bush, is scheduled to address the nation on immigration reform on Monday evening as the Senate gets ready to renew debates on a bill to tighten border security and give an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants a way to legalize their status. President Bush is not getting a free pass on his cozy relationship with President Fox of Mexico. And, we really should be worried about other than Mexican (OTM) illegals, drug cartel smuggling, and other criminal activities that cross along our borders with Mexico and Canada. Who knows what is coming across or what might get smuggled across.

California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, does not support that idea and is going to throw his monkey wrench into the plan. Apparently, Schwarzenegger indicated that using National Guard for border security is, "maybe not the right way to go." Schwarzenegger commented that, "I think that we should let them go to work, back to work again." However, Schwarzenegger did concede that the federal government is obliged to secure the borders.

At any rate, the solution to this problem is difficult. Our national security does depend on who we allow into the United States.

Technorati tags: Illegal Immigration, America, immigration, California, Detention, Illegal, Tancredo, Los Angeles, SoCal, Patriotism, American flag, Flag, Illegals, Mexico, Democrat, Hispanic, Immigration, President Fox, President Bush, Welfare, Border Control, Border Fence, Politically Correct, Liberalism, Rick Roberts, Arizona, President Fox, President Bush, Minutemen, Daily Bulletin, Border Patrol, Journalists, Opinion

Ahmadinejad says letter was invitation to Islam

Bos'un comments: Well, Madeline "Not so Bright" you may have showed your ignorance again. IF the following article from IRNA is true, you and the rest of the jackass lefti liberals of the past administration are partly to blame for what is happening in current events today. We will have to see who else weighs in the the letter from President Ahmadinejad to President Bush. Could it be that when, "Emir" Ahmadinejad said that the letter actually contained a clear message of invitation to human beliefs, adding that its response will determine the future that the "Emir" was extending da'wa (invitation to Islam) before he can make jihad against the infidels. From what I understand, if the infidels refuse, then the "Emir" may declare jihad legally according to sha'ria. The letter sounded very arrogant.

The following article was obtained from Islamic Republic News Agency:

President says his letter to President Bush was invitation to Islam

Jakarta, May 11, IRNA - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Thursday that his letter to President George W. Bush did not concern the nuclear dossier, but rather was an invitation to Islam and the prophets culture. He made the above remarks in reply to a reporter while attending press conference on his letter to President Bush in Jakarta in the afternoon of the third day of his stay in Jakarta. "The letter was an invitation to monotheism and justice, which are common to all divine prophets. If the call is responded positively, there will be no more problems to be solved," added the president. For the rest of the article: Ahmadinejad

Technorati tags: Albright, Shi'ite, Islam, Ahmadinejad, superpower, Iran, Nuke, National Security, Foreign Relations, political, Fissionable, Terrorist, Khatami

Immigration and the Lefti

You are not going to believe the jackass Lefti. It appears that hosts on a leftist radio station in Los Angeles have sponsored a contest that will reward the first illegal alien who names his or her new baby after Lou Dobbs, the CNN anchor who is an outspoken critic of unlawful immigration.

You'll have the read and judge this one for yourself. Read the details at WorldNetDaily.com!

Apologists for illegals: Name baby 'Lou Dobbs'

I want my country back!! Rick Roberts, 760 KFMB AM San Diego, did a broadcast “I Want My Country Back.” You can get to the blog entry by CLICKING HERE. According to Roberts, feel free to post it on every blog you read, and e-mail it to every friend you have. If you would like to listen to the broadcast, CLICK HERE. You can also sign Rick Roberts' ONLINE PETITION and get an "I want my country back sticker," by CLICKING HERE.

Technorati tags: Illegal Immigration, America, immigration, California, Detention, Illegal, Tancredo, Los Angeles, SoCal, Patriotism, American flag, Flag, Illegals, Mexico, Democrat, Hispanic, Immigration, President Fox, President Bush, Welfare, Border Control, Border Fence, Politically Correct, Liberalism, Journalists, Opinion

Centerville, VA Police Station Attacked by Snipers

They think this is the work of two snipers. One Police Officer was killed, and another officer is seriously injured. They are looking for them now, you can count on that.

So why am I writing it here? Let us think for a moment. There were two tapes of OBL recently. Hizbollah and HAMAS have threatened to bring suicide bombers to the USA. Iran is on the hot seat, and Creepo was sentenced last week.

I am not saying that it was an ideological attack, but...

Update: "By Ashton Williams, AP
CHANTILLY, Va. (AP) -- An 18-year-old gunman opened fire outside a suburban Washington police station Monday, killing one officer and wounding two others before he was shot and killed, authorities said. No motive was disclosed. [read more]"

Okay. So this time it was domestic, but what about tomorrow? Am I paranoid, or what?

Has Britain's MI6 Confirmed Bin Laden Nukes????

According to an article in World Net Daily (WND), Britain's secret intelligence service, M16, has identified six Pakistani scientists working in Iran's nuclear bomb program who have been "advising al-Qaida on how to weaponize fissionable materials it has now obtained." Apparently intelligence sources obtained from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin believe that the scientists would only have been allowed to assist al-Qaida with the authority of Iran's unpredictable President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

If true, this paints a very grave picture of the current situation in South Asia. Read the latest news stories and speculative information at WND: Britain's MI6 Confirms Bin Laden Nukes

Technorati tags: M16, Joseph Farah, G2 Bulletine, Al Qaeda, Ahmadinejad, bin Laden, Iran, Nuke, National Security, South Asia, Weaponize, Fissionable, Terrorist, Opinion

bin Laden Leaflets Call for Assassination of Musharraf

According to an article in DAWN, the leading English language paper in Pakistan, Osama bin Laden leaflets are circulating in tribal area of Waziristan region calling for the assassination of President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

This latest threat in nothing new in the history of the controversial Pakistani president, Musharraf has survived several assassination attempts.

Musharraf is a leading ally in the region who supports President Bush in the war on terrorism and the hunt for al-Qaeda. bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization believes that Musharraf is a puppet of the west. Recently, al-Qaeda deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, issued a videotape calling for Pakistanis to overthrow Musharraf.

Musharraf has continued to walk a delicate tightrope in Pakistan's South Asian politics. Musharraf continues to maintain the loyalty of his armed forces, even though, there are many who are pro-Taliban fundamentalists.

The United States and Pakistan last week agreed on a wide range of security and defense issues, from weapon supplies to the war on terror to a review proposals for converting their alliance against terror into a ‘deeper and long-standing relationship.’

So, it is conceivable that al-Qaeda and the Taliban feel the pressures of increased cooperation and plan to try to disrupt that cooperation.

In their news release, DAWN credits the leaflet story to Reuters. Please visit DAWN for the complete story: ‘Osama’ leaflets circulated in tribal area

Technorati tags: Pakistan, al Qaeda, Taliban, bin Laden, Security, defense, assassination, Musharraf, Bush, Terrorism, Leaflet, fundementalist, Islam, Muslim, Waziristan, Opinion

Five Foreign Nationals Released from Custody

Air Marshal Training Center
Photo from Federal Air Marshal
Association
What started out as a routine flight for American Airlines Flight 1874 turned out to be an exciting ending for more than 120 passengers and air crew at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Flight attendants and passengers apparently noticed five passengers speaking in foreign languages with some type of "aircraft flight materials" during their flight from Dallas Fort Worth International. The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) Agent aboard the flight was contacted and an alert went out.

When Flight 1874 arrived on Saturday afternoon, the five foreign aviation students, four Angolans and one Israeli, were detained, until their stories were checked out. Apparently the five were returning from a helicopter training school in Texas and had their study material with them on their flight.

Imagine being seated near five guys speaking in foreign languages looking a flight training materials. One would have to be suspicious at that scenario.

After the plane landed at Newark, the five were placed in custody and taken away by security personnel. One passenger later interviewed on television indicated that he was not aware of the possible in-flight emergency, but, witnessed the men being placed in handcuffs and taken away when the plane landed. The passenger indicated that all luggage was off loaded checked on the tarmac by explosive detection dogs and security personnel before the passengers left.

Bravo Zulu (a time-honored maritime signal meaning "Well Done") to the in-flight air crew and the Federal Air Marshal for their professionalism in handling a potential serious incident.

From Wikipedia:

The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) is a United States federal government law enforcement agency. It was founded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1968 to combat the rash of hijackings occurring during the 1960s and early 1970s. Its mission is to safeguard flights against aircraft hijacking ("skyjacking") and all other forms of crimes in or around commercial aircraft.

Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, air marshals were transferred to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In 2005, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff ordered the realignment of the FAMS from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to a division within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

TSA is also proposing to expand the use of Federal Air Marshals within the entire public transit sector. In a pilot program announced in December 2005 the TSA stated they will implement a program to have air marshals cover buses, light rail, passenger rail systems and ferries across the country. (Additional Source: Washington Post)

We are lucky that this happened on the weekend when most of the liberal news bloodhounds of the mainstream media (MSM) were asleep or out doing whatever they do when they are off, otherwise we would have a bunch of anti-law enforcement rhetoric criticizing the situation and demanding ACLU to look into profiling.

Technorati tags: FAMS, Air Marshal, In-flight Safety, Airport Security, Aircraft Hijacking, Sky Marshal, FBI, Newark, Dallas - Fort Worth, Avaition Security, Flight 1874, TSA, Law Enforcement, Passenger Safety, MSM, Opinion

The following was obtained from US CENTCOM website, "What terrorists are saying." US CENTOM is an excellent site with up to date information about the United States military.

Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi (Al-Jazirah, 25 April)
A man identifying himself as Al-Qaeda's Iraq frontman Abu Musab al-Zarqawi appeared in an Internet video on Tuesday in what would be the first public appearance of one world's most wanted militants in at least three years.

"By God, America will be defeated in Iraq," said the man identified as Zarqawi.

The male, sporting a beard, is shown meeting with fighters briefing him on events in the western rebel town of Ramadi.

There had previously been only audiotapes of Zarqawi, while the US military obtained photos of Zarqawi in February 2005 when the rebel purportedly fled a car by a US checkpoint outside Ramadi.

"Your brethren in the information committee of the Mujahedeen's Consultative Council are happy to present the first video of the emir of the Al-Qaeda Organization in the Land of Two Rivers, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi," footage on the website said.

The man also announced the formation of an umbrella group for anti-US fighters.

The Jordanian-born Zarqawi is blamed for numerous deadly attacks in Iraq and the kidnapping and beheading of hostages and has a 25 million dollar US bounty on his head.




Translation

Centcom: On 25 April, The Global News Network posted a statement issued by The Mujahidin Shura Council in Iraq [Majlis Shura al-Mujahidin fi al-Iraq] announcing a new message from Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, leader of the Al-Qa'ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers (I.E. Iraq), and provided links to a 34-minute 4-second video statement titled, "This is a Declaration to the People."

In it, al-Zarqawi rages against the democratically-elected Iraqi government, encouraging Iraqis and foreign fighters to wage war within the country. A translation of the video follows:

The video begins with a written quote, "Then fight, O Muhammad, peace be upon him, in the Cause of Allah, you are not held responsible except for yourself, and incite the believers [to fight along with you]; it may be that Allah will restrain the evil might of the disbelievers. And Allah is stronger in might and stronger in punishing" [Koranic verse, Sura 4:84].

Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi appears, saying, "Where are the lions of Al-Anbar? Where are the lions of Salah-al-Din? Where are the men of Baghdad? Where are the knights of Nineva, and the heroes of Diyala? Where are the brave men of Kurdistan? Where are you lions of monotheism?"

After a brief edit, Al-Zarqawi continues, "Beware, and beware of those who find their ways into those collaborating agencies. By God, we have nothing for them but the decisive sword. Between us there are but lingering time and events, from which horrors young boys' hairs would turn grey."

A religious song is played, after which al-Zarqawi says, "And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others besides whom, you may not know but whom Allah does know. And whatever you shall spend in the cause of Allah shall be repaid unto you, and you shall not be treated unjustly. [Koranic verse]"

The video cycles through various highlights of later sections of the video. A picture of Osama Bin Laden appears, while portions of an audio message from Bin Laden which aired July 2004 is played in the background. The video cuts to Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi seated, addressing the camera, with a gun beside him propped up against the wall.

He says, "All praise be to God, Who honored Islam with His victory, humiliated polytheism with His power, controlled [the] world's events with His will, lured the polytheists with His schemes, and with His justice dictated power to circulate among nations. May God's peace and prayers be upon the One, with whose sword God has elevated the banner of Islam.

“My dear nation! I am talking to you, free of any wrong, hoping to find in you listening ears and open minds. Rest assured that the leader does not lie to his people. When the Crusader enemy invaded Iraq, the intentions were to control the Islamic nation, and enable the Zionist entity to prevail from the Nile to the Euphrates. But God enabled your mujahidin children to stand facing the fiercest Crusader campaign creeping on the land of Islam. They stood facing that invasion for a period of three years or a bit longer, and gave in that period the most valuable and most precious, sacrificing their souls and their possessions. They spent their life savings, dedicated their time, sacrificed their souls and honor, and shouldered the fiercest attacks militarily, economically, and on the media front for nothing but to defend this nation, its religion, its men and women, and their honor. Therefore, God inflicted the enemy's gathering and dispersed their unity, and their defeat became apparent to everyone who can see with the naked eye and a clear mind.

“Here are your soldiers; by the grace and bounty of the Exalted Almighty they carry out raid after raid, attack after attack, and hold the initiative in the battle field. Without the escalating and collaborated media blackout, you would have seen wonders. By God, the heroic epics bring about their dancing breeze, and therefore, the nation of Islam should be thankful and grateful to God for His great bounties, for allowing a group of the nation's children to defend its territory and save its honor. Without their standing, Iraq would have fallen prey to malicious Crusaders and treacherous rejectionists [a derogatory term for Shi'ites], and the women of the Sunni people would have become prisoners, serving as mistresses in the arms of the malicious Crusaders and rejectionists. The memories of Abu-Ghurayb prison and the prisons of the rejectionist Iraqi interior [ministry] are not forgotten.

“My dear nation! We, in Iraq, are in a stone's throw from the Masra [destination of Muhammad’s nightly journey from Mecca] of God's Prophet, prayers and peace be upon him. While we are fighting in Iraq, our eyes are always on Bayt al-Maqdis [Jerusalem], which will not be regained without a guiding Koran and a supporting sword. 'But enough is thy Lord to guide and to help' [Koranic verse, excerpted from Sura 25:31]. Experience, days, trials and misadventures have proven that you [I.E. Jerusalem] have nobody after God other than your sons the mujahidin. They are your protecting fortress, your strong armor, and your beating heart. They become happy when you are happy, they cry when you are sad, they stay up all night for you, and they are earnestly concerned about you. You are their first and last concern.

“O, God! Remove disgrace and injustice from my nation! O, God! Restore back my nation's power and glory!

“To the American administration, and at its head the Crusader Bush, and those who surround him from the Jews, the Crusaders, the rejectionists, the apostates and others, we say you will not lead a life of ease in the land of Islam. By God, you will not enjoy your life for as long we still have a beating vein and a blinking eye.

“Our Amir and leader, Shaykh Osama, may God protect him, offered you a long lasting truce that is good for you and those surrounding you, but your arrogance and haughtiness prevented you from accepting the offer. By the grace of God, here you are now, all confused, helpless and broken, jumping out of fear from west to east as if you were possessed by Satan until you started lying to and deceiving your people and supporters. The more the mujahidin intensify their attacks, the more you have to lie claiming that things are under control. Then everyone near and far realizes the falsehood of your claims. You became like a person who tries to cure himself from drinking alcohol by drinking more alcohol.

“Not a single time were you truthful to yourself or your people; even though truthfulness, which you lack, is found in some of your forefathers. Why do not you tell the truth about your soldiers and that their fighting will is rather weak, so that your people will know the truth about this war? Why do not you tell them that your soldiers are continuously committing suicide? Why do not you tell them that your soldiers cannot sleep without taking drugs and hallucination pills and that those pills make them lose their mind to allow your evangelical-Zionist war generals to drag them into the slaughter house? Why do not you tell them about the mass desertion and revolt [which] is growing among the ranks of your soldiers?

“O, you arrogant liar! Know that we will sacrifice our blood and bodies to put an end to your dreams, and what is coming is even worse, by God's help. This rotten play of democracy that you brought with you to the Land of the Two Rivers after you have seduced people by the claims of freedom, happiness and financial and spiritual easiness is gone with the wing and left forever, God willing.

“And here you are trying to use all your means and pretexts to gather all your apostate tails, flock, and other partners to form together with them a mutilated government that may rescue you from your acute and embarrassing disaster. But we believe that any government that is formed in Iraq now -- regardless of who its members are, whether they are from the malicious rejectionists, the secularist Kurdish Zionists, or the collaborators that are falsely considered Sunnis -- is a government that is an agent, collaborating and allied with the Crusaders. Such a government would become a poisoned dagger in the heart of the Islamic nation.

“America has realized that its tanks, airplanes, huge armies, and its despicable rejectionist agent army will not be able, God willing, to win the battle with the mujahidin. Therefore, America began to rely on a cunning plan seeking through it to outflank jihad and the mujahidin by directing its agents, who are considered Sunnis, to become the rope to be tied around the necks of the Sunni people to rescue the Americans from the quagmire of death and failure in Iraq. Those are the same Sunnis who have taken Islamic symbols as their veil with which to cover their disgraceful acts, and began to appeal to their masters to form both the army and the police force and to throw to the Muslims, as the [Arabic] saying goes, ‘and they put the poison in the honey.’

“Meanwhile, they forgot or chose to forget that all through modern history, every occupier of a country or colonial power finds those natives who are willing to represent them in order to make it possible for the occupier to secure its stay, to steal the resources of the land and the people, and to safeguard its cunning goals and interests. The Almighty God said, 'And he amongst you that turns to them is of them,' [Koranic verse, excerpted from Sura 5:51] in this and the afterlife. And God also said, 'Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females, for he was indeed a maker of mischief' [Koranic verse, Sura 28:4].

“We, therefore, repeat our call and warning to all who seek to establish and to deploy the police and army created to execute the occupiers' plans and to implement a law other than that of God, Lord of the universe. Beware of those who will join such agent forces. By God, they have nothing from us but the sharp sword, and between us and them time and events whose horrors will turn young boys' hair gray. The almighty God said, 'Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject faith fight in the cause of evil, so fight ye against the friends of Satan. Feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan' [Koranic verse, Sura 4:76].

“And with the great defeat of the enemy and his futile methods, he is trying to draw into the play of the so-called parliament two kinds of people to reap the fruit of mujahidin, who are seeking to make the word of God supreme. The first kind of them is those who are trying to attach themselves to the mujahidin, having not lived the burdens of jihad and its atmosphere during the occupation of Iraq. The second are those who had participated early on in the fight against the Crusaders. But things are judged by how they end.

“Anyone that follows the political process in Iraq knows that most of those with seats in the Parliament are Shias, secularists among the Kurds and Sunnis, in addition to those who follow a flawed methodology and creed. All of this leads us to believe that the majority in the parliament is always going to be controlled by the transgressors against God. God, praise be to Him, said, 'Beware of them lest they turn you far away from that which Allah has sent down to you.' [Koranic verse, excerpted from Sura 5:49] and He said, Exalted be He, 'Have you seen those who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgment to the Taghut [false judges] while they have been ordered to reject them. But Satan wishes to lead them far astray' [Koranic verse, Sura 4:60].

“As for you true and enduring mujahidin, may God accept your righteous deeds and may He bless your jihad and struggle. You stopped the Crusaders and their assault on the nation and crushed them and made their life difficult. Continue your jihad and increase your attacks, and double your blows, for by God you are embarked on an Islamic conquest, and these by God are the last moments before the Cross worshipers declare their defeat in the Land of the Two Rivers. The lack of will to fight is widely spread among the armies of the Crusaders. Renew your vows and intentions, and purify your hearts and attack your enemy as one man. Your enemy is now exposed, due to the grace of God, and has lost his will and become weak and broken; so don't give him a chance to recuperate. Continue the stabs, one after another.

“Oh Steeds of God, mount. Oh bearers of the banner, rise up. Where are the lions of Al-Anbar? Where are the lions of Salah-al-Din? Where are the men of Baghdad? Where are the knights of Ninawa, and the heroes of Diyala? Where are the brave men of Kurdistan? Where are you lions of monotheism? Oh grandchildren of Khalid, Al-Muthana, Sa'd, and Al-Miqdad, and Salah-al-Din! Where are the muhajirin [foreign fighters]? Where are the Ansar [Iraqis]? They are the people mentioned in Al-Tawbah [The ninth Sura of the Koran] and Al-Anfal [eighth Sura], and the people mentioned in the verses of Al-Fatah [forty eighth Sura] and Al-Qital [forty seventh Sura].

“Oh what a loss it is for the nation! Who is going to comfort the bereaved mothers, who going to answer the call of the free woman in the prisons of the Crusaders, who is going to free the chaste from the detentions of the hateful rejectionists? Oh God, we seek only the life of the hereafter. Oh God, give the mujahidin, both the Ansar and the muhajirin, victory. Beware of the bandits who are conspiring with the Crusaders to contain your jihad. Beware not to put down your arms for your destiny would then be regret, humiliation, and disgrace in this world and in the hereafter. You prayed to God, day and night, to facilitate your way to jihad in the sake of God in Afghanistan and Chechnya and elsewhere, and now God Almighty chose you and brought jihad to your lands, thus opening the gates of heaven for your blessing. Do not, oh mujahidin, shut these gates with your sins. 'And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun after it has become strong' [Koranic verse, excerpted from Sura 16:92]. If jihad was ever to leave your land, God will afflict you with disgrace and send you the worst kind of people to afflict you with horrible torment, and slaughter your sons and violate your women, and take this blessing of jihad away from you. 'And if you turn away, He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes' [Koranic verse, excerpted from Sura 47:38].

“Finally, we bring the good news to the nation with the establishment of the Mujahidin Shura Council which will be, with God's might, the foundation of an Islamic country where the word of God will be the highest. Praise be to God as efforts are increasing and hands are uniting and shaking on God's obedience and his Messenger and the jihad of God. This Council will be, God willing, an umbrella for every true mujahid, and I have the honor of being a member of this blessed Council with its wise leadership, in addition to being the Amir of Al-Qa'ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers, servant of the Jihad and the mujahidin, proud of Almighty God, your brother Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi. This is Friday, 23 Rabi al-Awwal 1427, corresponding to 21 Nissan [I.E. April] 2006. Praise be to God, Lord of all creation."

The video cuts to a new scene of al-Zarqawi walking with masked bodyguards, greeting and shaking hands with a large group of insurgents. After about a minute, the scene changes to a room with five masked men sitting on the floor. The one sitting next to Al-Zarqawi updates him on the latest developments:

"In the name of God, praise be to God. Peace and many prayers be upon our prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions. We salute our noble Shaykh in the land of Al-Anbar, the land of jihad, and ask Almighty God to make it a permanent thorn in throat of the [non-Muslims].

“We inform you, our noble Shaykh, about what happened recently in Al-Ramadi, a special and huge operation where God granted victory to the brothers of the Mujahidin Shura Council. They killed all the infidels they could kill, and were able to control the [center] of the city, including the Administration and Directorates, and handed the infidels a great defeat. With God's blessings, they were able to kill a large number of the soldiers as they tightened control of the city for four days and prevented the Americans from even reaching their dead. Praise be to God. This operation was a clear and direct answer to the visits of the infidel ambassadors Condoleezza Rice [U.S. Secretary of State] and Jack Straw [British Foreign Secretary].

“In general, the spirits of our troops in Al-Anbar and other areas are good and moral is increasing, in contrast to the infidel armies and their soldiers, who are suffering lower moral and decreasing spirits as they go from one defeat to another. We ask God Almighty to accelerate their defeat.

“In regards to the field of technology and development, the mujahidin in Al-Anbar Governorate produced two rockets. The first one is called 'Qa'idah 1' with a range of 40 kilometers. It carries an explosive head that weighs 50 kilograms. Here is a picture of it, our Shaykh."

The masked terrorist pointed at a laptop computer screen to show a picture of a man standing next to an estimated 6-foot-long rocket in the middle of the desert. The video cuts to the same scene on the laptop screen, showing a demonstration of the rocket. The rocket's launch was repeated in slow motion while a recital of a Koranic verse, an excerpt from Sura 8:60, was played in the background: "Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know."

The masked man continued, "The other rocket is called 'Quds 1' and carries a hollow charge that can penetrate shields. God willing, these rockets will be used in the next phase."

Al-Zarqawi is then shown a demonstration of a smaller, horizontally-mounted rocket on the laptop in front of him. The video again cuts to the picture shown on the laptop, a demonstration of the "Quds 1" rocket.

The next scene showed one of the masked men with a pointer in his hand signaling on what looked like a map spread out on the floor, in front of Al-Zarqawi. Al-Zarqawi used a marker to circle a few spots on the map. This portion of the video had no dialogue; religious chants were played in the background. Religious music continued while Al-Zarqawi conferred with the group around him. An excerpt from Al-Zawahiri's latest audiotape was played in the background, in which he said, "This is the most crucial ground of jihad in this age. The nation should support the heroic mujahidin of Iraq, who are fighting in the frontline to defend Islam's glory and dignity."

During the discussion, Al-Zarqawi smiled and spoke with the men around him. The final scene showed him firing a machine gun at an unidentified target in the desert. Afterward, he faced the camera and said, "By the will of the Exalted, Almighty God, America will be defeated in Iraq and they will exit the Land of the Two Rivers defeated, humiliated, sorrowful, and feeling scorned."

Five men taken into custody at Newark airport

Hat tip to Breitbart

Five men taken into custody at Newark airport

May 06 6:22 PM US/Eastern An air marshal aboard the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport notified the pilot during the flight that he was suspicious of the five men, said Marc LaVorgna, a spokesman...


Stay tuned. Worst case scenario, mistaken identity. Best case scenario, problem diverted.

MEMRI: Iranian Nuclear Energy Organization Head Reveals Details About Iran's Nuclear Project

Special Dispatch - Iran/ Jihad & Terrorism Studies Project
April 28, 2006
No. 1151

Iranian Nuclear Energy Organization Head Reveals Details About Iran's Nuclear Project

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: Iran Nuclear Program .

The following are excerpts from an interview with Iranian Nuclear Energy Organization head Gholam-Reza Aghazadeh, which aired on Iranian Channel 2 on April 13, 2006. It is followed by excerpts from a speech by Aghazadeh which aired on IRINN on April 11, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP VISIT: Nuclear Iran.


Aghazadeh (Channel 2 on 4/13/2006): "In the early stages of our work we realized that our centrifuges had many malfunctions. We could not determine the reason, because there were no references or books we could consult to solve this. After considerable effort, we noticed that when our experts assembled the centrifuges, they did not wear cloth gloves. We realized that if you assemble the centrifuges with bare hands, a little bit of sweat from between the fingers may transfer to the rotor, and increase the mass. When the rotor spins, it becomes a problem, which completely unbalances the centrifuge, causing it to explode. When I say that it explodes, it doesn't merely explode, but turns to powder."

Interviewer: "With the high speed rotation..."

Aghazadeh: "Yes."

[...]

"As for the centrifuges we possess, 48,000 such centrifuges can supply 30 tons of enriched uranium. As for more advanced machines - we indeed have plans to develop such machines. Having the advanced type of centrifuges and the new technology enables one to multiply production."

Interviewer: "If the enrichment is only 3.5% to 5% - which is permitted according to the NPT - why are the Americans concerned that Iran has reached this level, saying it may reach enrichment of a higher percentage?"

Aghazadeh: "This has a dual use... Since this is the same technology... Let me explain this. The simple way is to inject 0.7% [uranium] and obtain 3.5%, right? Now, if you take this 3.5% and inject it again into the chain (of centrifuges), the result will be 20%. If you inject the 20% back into the chain, the result will be 60%. If you inject this 60%, the result will be 90%. This process has a dual use."

[...]

Aghazadeh (IRINN on 4/11/2006): "In the framework of the development of Iran's nuclear power plants, Iranian experts have begun to plan a 360 MW nuclear power plant. During this year, they will issue an international tender for the construction of two additional units, with a capacity of 1,000 MW each. Iran's growing need for various radioactive medicines for the purposes of diagnosis and treatment, and its need for radioactive isotopes for industrial and research use, and the restrictions Iran encountered when it tried to obtain these isotopes from sources outside the country, have led Iran's senior officials to a resolute decision: to establish a new nuclear research facility to replace the old one [in Tehran]. This will be a heavy water facility with a capacity of 40 MW. This type of reactor is called RR-40 and it will be operational, God willing, in the beginning of 2009."

[...]

"I am proud to announce that 110 tons of UF6 have already been manufactured at the [UCF] facilities."

[...]

"The heavy water production project involves some of the most complex technology known today. Only a few countries have the ability to produce heavy water. This project is currently in its initial stages. We have begun the initial accumulation of heavy water, and the eventual output of this important project will be 16 tons of heavy water annually."


*********************
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.

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Technorati tags: Khamenei, Iran, Threats, War, US, ElBaradei, IAEA, Aghazadeh, Ahmadinejad, Tehran, uranium enrichment, Nuclear, clandestine, Opinion

Ingraham Interviews Secretary Rumsfeld

U.S. Department of Defense

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Transcript

On the Web: Defense Link News Releases - 2006
Public contact: DoD Military Questions and Comments

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld

April 28, 2006

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Radio Interview with Secretary Rumsfeld on the Laura Ingraham Show

INGRAHAM: Joining us now - delighted to talk to him again - the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld just back from Iraq, where he was with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Historic times in Iraq; after finally moving forward toward a unified government there.

Mr. Secretary, it's good to have you with us.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: Well, thank you and congratulations on your fifth anniversary of your show and your top ratings.

INGRAHAM: Well, we're happy to still be alive. A lot of people were predicting we'd be off the air in a few months, so that's -- They're predicting your demise all the time too, Mr. Secretary, so we're in the same boat.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: [Laughter]. There you go.

INGRAHAM: First of all, tell us, there seemed to be an extra sense of optimism coming from the delegation that was over there, both you and the Secretary of State, on this most recent trip. Why the optimism, given the fact that we're still seeing so much of these reprisal killings on the streets and obviously militia still active.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: It is an historic event for the Iraqi people to vote and then for a new government to be formed with the top seven officials announced. The meetings we had with them could not have been better. One listens to their comments and you can't help but come away encouraged that they understand the importance of having a unified government; of governing from the center; of having non-sectarian ministers administer the government on behalf of the Iraqi people. The recent remarks by Sistani against militias and the government's announcement that they intend to address the militia issue. It is clearly an encouraging time in Iraq and it's important that it be noted.

INGRAHAM: What happened with the Iraqi media coverage of all of this? I'm always curious about how they're covering these events. We understand where the American media often is coming from and their focus, we don't even have to belabor that, but what about the way they're sending the message to their own people?

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: I asked that question and I came away with the impression that they have been handling it very directly. We had a rather lengthy and interesting press roundtable - Condi Rice and I did - with the Iraqi media. Their questions were thoughtful and substantive and had dimension to them, in contrast to some of the questions we hear elsewhere.

INGRAHAM: And how many of the American reporters were actually with you this entire time? How many people did you have with you?

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: Goodness, I don't have any idea. I'm going to guess we must have had six or eight with us and Condi Rice certainly had a large number with her. Then there's a population of American media in Baghdad itself.

INGRAHAM: One thing that struck me is when you had all the historic happenings in Iraq over the past week, some of the focus, oddly, especially in the Washington Post, Glenn Kessler's piece, he focused on how, he said "Rice and Rumsfeld often seemed in separate orbits and the visit had little of the warmth of the earlier one." It described your styles, the differences, as "sometimes very jarring."

What do you make of that? Are you and Condoleezza Rice on the outs or something?

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: Oh, absolutely not. What nonsense. It's just fairly typical Washington Post stuff.

INGRAHAM: One of the things that struck me was a comment made by the brother of one of the former government officials who was killed recently in Iraq. And, he made a comment basically saying, look, my life is not important any more. The lives of Iraqis, if I can do something good for all of them, I will not hesitate at all. It's that kind of bravery and that kind of courage I think that unfortunately gets under-reported in our media all too often.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: You're exactly right. These people do live in a violent nation at a violent time and by accepting leadership responsibilities they put themselves at risk and their families at risk and it does take a lot of courage and a lot of conviction and desire to see this effort succeed.

Condi and I both came away from the visit confident that the Iraqi people are going to succeed. I must say we were - to the extent that she was focused on the embassy, understandably, and I was focused on the Iraqi security forces and the military forces we have there - we spent a good deal of time together but we also spent a good deal of time working on our respective areas of concern. In each case we came away very confident that terrific progress is being made.

I met with the advisors to the Ministry of Interior and the Iraqi Minister of Defense and the progress they're making there is notably faster and better than I had appreciated from Washington.

INGRAHAM: What was the new Prime Minister like as a man and as someone who has such a tough task ahead of reigning in the sectarian violence and the insurgent activity and also restoring basic services?

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: Well, I spent I suppose, several hours with him. We had a meeting and then we had dinner and spent a good deal of time talking. In some instances we were talking alone with him. In other instances we were talking in front of the people who had been his competitors and who represented different elements of the Iraqi government so we could watch him in both settings. He clearly is a person of conviction and determination. He has views. He speaks directly. And I think that he appears to me at least at this early stage to have the kind of strength and fiber that it's going to take to lead a country during a tough time in the history of that nation.

INGRAHAM: And Condoleezza Rice yesterday did something to calm the fears of some of the European leaders about using European bases to launch any military strikes against Iran. Can you tell us anything about that? A lot has been written about the convenience of having bases, air bases inside Iraq for any possible military action that we would have to launch.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: I have not seen what she said, I'm not aware of it. But we've not had any discussions with the prior governments or the new governments with respect to any longer term bases there. The bases we have we've been systematically turning over to the Iraqi security forces. We've not initiated any discussions yet with the new Iraqi government on that subject and certainly wouldn't until such time as they form their government completely and selected their ministers and raised the issue with us - which they haven't.

INGRAHAM: Mr. Secretary, we're glad you made the trip and the fact that Muqtada al-Sadr said it was a flagrant interference in Iraqi affairs, means you must have done something right.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: [Laughter]. Did he really?

INGRAHAM: Yeah, he did say that. He was meeting with Maliki yesterday and he said that. He wanted to give you a little goodbye as you were winging your way back to the United States.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: [Laughter].

INGRAHAM: Mr. Secretary, we appreciate you joining us and I know this continues to be a very difficult time for the people of Iraq, and our military which is working so hard, and they all appreciate it when our leaders go and visit them so we appreciate the fact that you went there.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: Thank you very much. The military's doing a superb job over there, God bless each one of them.

INGRAHAM: All right, you take good care, and we'll talk to you soon I hope.

SECRETARY RUMSFELD: Good. Thank you so much. Bye.

INGRAHAM: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on the Laura Ingraham Show.

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Technorati tags: Navy, Armed forces, Defense, Military, security, al-Sadr, Iraq, Combat, DoD, Sistani, Condoleezza Rice, Ingraham, government

al-Qaeda and nukes

According to a World Net daily article, Al-Qaeda has already obtained nuclear suitcase weapons from the Russian black market. Experts believe that weapons were tested in Afghanistan in 2000, and they may have already been forward-deployed inside the U.S., according to the only journalist to interview Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri in the wake of Sept. 11. The journalist believes that an "American Hiroshima" will occur as soon as the U.S. launches an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Read the latest now on World Net Daily: Suitcase Nukes

Technorati tags: al-Qaeda, terrorist, stability, destabilizing, Middle East, proliferation, FBI, Threats, nuclear programs, Training Camps, nuclear, News Feed, Jihad, Opinion