West Asia News and Discussions
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Personally, I think it's good that Islamic militancy is coming ever closer to Europe's borders ("Gates of Vienna" and all that)
Because the problem is that Europeans are behind the rise of Islamic militancy, which they've sought to use as a means to harass their other enemy - the Russians. Thusfar, the Europeans haven't been too badly affected by any fallout from their support to militant Islam. For one thing, the Europeans have long been protected by the buffer of the Kemalist police state they created long ago. But the Maginot-line of the Kemalists has now been dissolved with surprising ease, so that Europe stands vulnerable once again.
Now, as Islamic militancy creeps back towards its traditional shockfront with Europe, it's entirely possible that an Islamically chauvinist Turkey will again be shoving its way through the Balkans, right upto the borders of Austria. It's just a matter of time.
Hopefully, the resulting catastrophe will deal a deathblow to the Atlanticists and their pro-Islamist adventurism.
Because the problem is that Europeans are behind the rise of Islamic militancy, which they've sought to use as a means to harass their other enemy - the Russians. Thusfar, the Europeans haven't been too badly affected by any fallout from their support to militant Islam. For one thing, the Europeans have long been protected by the buffer of the Kemalist police state they created long ago. But the Maginot-line of the Kemalists has now been dissolved with surprising ease, so that Europe stands vulnerable once again.
Now, as Islamic militancy creeps back towards its traditional shockfront with Europe, it's entirely possible that an Islamically chauvinist Turkey will again be shoving its way through the Balkans, right upto the borders of Austria. It's just a matter of time.
Hopefully, the resulting catastrophe will deal a deathblow to the Atlanticists and their pro-Islamist adventurism.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
SanjayM, In particular its the British who incited Islamism, first get ahead of France and then the Soviets.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Sirji,ramana wrote:SanjayM, In particular its the British who incited Islamism, first get ahead of France and then the Soviets.
It is not as if the Queendom will escape the wrath of the jihadies?
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Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Clinton “burning up phone lines” to Middle East
http://www.politico.com/blogs/lauraroze ... East_.html
http://www.politico.com/blogs/lauraroze ... East_.html
Both Abbas and Netanyahu have held what several sources say were genuinely positive meetings with President Barack Obama at the White House the past two months. Behind the scenes, Israeli officials are said to have been offering a series of unpublicized confidence-building steps to the Palestinians to try to persuade Abbas to to agree to direct talks.
As yet unclear and very closely held is whether Netanyahu confidentially agreed with Obama to extend a partial West Bank settlement freeze set to expire in September. Publicly, Netanyahu has said he can’t extend the freeze without Abbas agreeing to direct talks.
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Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians could be a political trap for Obama.
AARON DAVID MILLER
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2 ... don_t_want
AARON DAVID MILLER
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2 ... don_t_want
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
The changing demographics of Britain now mean incitation of Islamism can have blowback effects on the UK, as 7/7 and other attacks have shown. Britain's days of inciting Islamist groups may now be over, as is similarly the case for the US too.ramana wrote:SanjayM, In particular its the British who incited Islamism, first get ahead of France and then the Soviets.
The only ones who retain an interest in inciting Islamism are the Atlanticists and the useful idiots on the Left who're always looking for partners to sustain their anti-establishment momentum.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Expect to hear news on Indian Military cooperation with Iraq this week or next. Or things might have already taken place.
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Multiple resources reporting that Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah (one of the King of KSA's youngest sons) is growing in power in royal circles. DNW says he was sitting in on CIA meetings with King in casablanca. Another source says that he may be interested in taking over the National Security council of KSA from Prince Bandar who is out of the game.
King A actually spent considerable time thinking about future generation of princes and the leadership in Casablanca. He is picking young royals who are smart etc.
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Its all Love between the GCC and Israel.
Evidence of Israel - KSA trade. Here is a picture circulating in KSA media circles.

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Now for some comedy.
Saudi SF officer in the UK says to friend "Why women drive here?" Friend bursts out laughing.
Saudi SF Officer asks friend how to get married in the UK. Asks if there is like a market for women here. Friend - Gives him address of local nightclub known for old slags where anyone can score. Saudi officer writes down address vigorously.
Now to some serious business - apparently the Saudi SF have taken big pay cuts.
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Its all love between the Arabs and Israel.
From lynch to escort - cooperating with the PA is bearing fruit
Israel linked to exiled sheikh's bid for 'coup' in Gulf emirate of RAK
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Multiple resources reporting that Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah (one of the King of KSA's youngest sons) is growing in power in royal circles. DNW says he was sitting in on CIA meetings with King in casablanca. Another source says that he may be interested in taking over the National Security council of KSA from Prince Bandar who is out of the game.
King A actually spent considerable time thinking about future generation of princes and the leadership in Casablanca. He is picking young royals who are smart etc.
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Its all Love between the GCC and Israel.
Evidence of Israel - KSA trade. Here is a picture circulating in KSA media circles.
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Now for some comedy.
Saudi SF officer in the UK says to friend "Why women drive here?" Friend bursts out laughing.
Saudi SF Officer asks friend how to get married in the UK. Asks if there is like a market for women here. Friend - Gives him address of local nightclub known for old slags where anyone can score. Saudi officer writes down address vigorously.
Now to some serious business - apparently the Saudi SF have taken big pay cuts.
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Its all love between the Arabs and Israel.
From lynch to escort - cooperating with the PA is bearing fruit
Radical change in level of security coordination between Israel and the PA in the West Bank has allowed the government to make more confidence-building gestures to the Palestinians.
-------------Yesterday, two reservists accidentally entered Nablus via the village Beit Iba, west of the city. But this story had a different ending. Palestinian policemen stopped them and demanded that they hand over their weapons. The two refused. But shortly afterward, they were escorted out of Nablus and handed back to the IDF. The incident hardly even made the news. It was routine. Dozens of Israelis who mistakenly entered PA territory in recent years have been brought back safely.This radical change reflects the level of security coordination between Israel and the PA in the West Bank. This is why the IDF has advised the government to make more confidence-building gestures, like allowing 50 armored vehicles that Russia gave the PA to enter the West Bank.
The IDF is also looking into allowing Jews to enter West Bank cities again, for the first time in 10 years.
Not everything is perfect. Yesterday, a police anti-terror squad fired at a wanted man during a chase through a north Jerusalem neighborhood, causing him moderate injuries. IDF troops are still arresting Palestinians in the West Bank every night. But the arrests are few in number compared to the past, and on relatively minor suspicions.
More importantly, the arrests are carried out in coordination with Palestinian security forces. In exceptional cases - like the murder of the Israeli policeman near Hebron in June, or the torching of a mosque, apparently by right-wing extremists - both sides work together to calm things down immediately.
The improved coordination is affecting the atmosphere among politicians as well. It is not dictating the pace of negotiations, as evidenced by the Americans' difficulty in relaunching direct Israeli-Palestinian talks. But it can limit aberrant incidents and prevent a conflagration from erupting over an isolated event, like the reservists who entered Nablus yesterday.
Israel linked to exiled sheikh's bid for 'coup' in Gulf emirate of RAK
• UK ambassador advising Sheikh Khalid of Ras al-Khaimeh
• Tiny UAE state 'aids trafficking of nuclear parts' to Iran
Israel is aiding an exiled Arab sheikh who is vying to seize control of a strategically important Gulf emirate only 40 miles from Iran.
The Israeli ambassador to London, Ron Prosor, has met Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr al-Qasimi, the exiled crown prince of Ras al-Khaimeh (RAK), who asked him to help with his campaign to oust the leadership of the northernmost state in the United Arab Emirates.
The meeting took place in London in March and has been followed by phone calls and wider assistance and advice, according to records of the relationship seen by the Guardian.
Khalid, who has been based in London and has hired a solicitor from Ickenham as his agent, is bidding to replace his ailing father, Sheikh Saqr, and half brother, Sheikh Saud, to take control of RAK.
Israel's involvement in what would be a bloodless coup in one of the most sensitive regions in the world, would be "extremely uncomfortable", according to Dr Christopher Davidson, an expert on the politics of the UAE at Durham University.
Khalid, who was sent into exile in 2003, claims RAK is now acting as a trafficking hub for nuclear arms parts to Iran and has spent more than £4m on an international public relations and lobbying campaign to persuade American politicians and the pro-Israel lobby in the US that it would be safer if he were in charge.
The alliance with Israel is the latest twist in the already extraordinary saga of Khalid's bid to return to power. In June the Guardian revealed that his fighting fund was being channelled through Peter Cathcart, a 59-year-old miniature steam railway enthusiast and parish council chairman who runs a family firm of solicitors in Ickenham, west London.
He in turn was spending it on top Washington lobbyists, Californian PR consultants and military experts to draw up dossiers damning the regime in RAK.
Prosor has pressed his contacts in the US government on behalf of Khalid whose aides asked for help setting up meetings in Washington with anyone interested in their claims about RAK's alleged sanctions busting, particularly concerning parts for the Iranian nuclear programme, plot records seen by this newspaper show.
An email from Cathcart to the ambassador's office reports that "His Highness … very much enjoyed his meeting with the ambassador".
In April Cathcart arranged for the two men to speak on the phone when the sheikh was in Oman and a note of the conversation recorded by Cathcart shows the ambassador "is working with certain people from his side" and "promised that the matter will be solved in his [the sheikh's] favour".
Sheikh Saqr is understood to be dying in hospital in Abu Dhabi and his son, Sheikh Saud, 54, the sitting crown prince, has been told to begin preparations for his wake, a significant event in emirates politics, which is likely to be attended by Abu Dhabi's rulers, who will have a large influence over which of the sons will succeed him.
"By meeting with the Israeli ambassador, he is sending out signals to Abu Dhabi and Washington DC that he will be hawkish on Iran if it comes to war," said Davidson. "This is a new kind of coup. It doesn't involve slitting throats, but instead spending large sums of money on global communications. It is the first of its kind and I am betting on it being successful. I think by the end of the summer we will have a verdict."
Asked about Israel's involvement, Peter Ragone, a spokesman for Khalid, said: "There is significant interest in the current RAK regime's relationship to Iran, particularly in the context of trying to stop the flow of arms, goods and technology from going through RAK to the Islamic Republic. Sheikh Khalid and representatives from his team meet with elected officials, high-ranking government officials and media representatives of various countries all the time. In fact, this week Sheikh Khalid's representatives are in Washington DC meeting representatives of the US foreign policy/national security establishment who are very concerned about the activity in RAK."
Odelia Englander, a spokeswoman at the Israeli embassy in London, declined to comment.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Needless Israeli-Lebanese spat on the border,supposedly over "tree-cutting".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... srael.html
Five killed in clashes on Lebanon's border with Israel
Lebanon and Israel engaged in a violent cross-border battle during which five people were killed, sparking fears that tensions between the two countries could spiral out of control.
Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... srael.html
Five killed in clashes on Lebanon's border with Israel
Lebanon and Israel engaged in a violent cross-border battle during which five people were killed, sparking fears that tensions between the two countries could spiral out of control.
Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem
The deadly attacks were triggered by an attempt by Israeli soldiers to cut down trees along the fence dividing the country and a disagreement over which side of the border the trees grew. A Lebanese army officer claimed that the tree was on the Lebanese side of the border, while the Israeli military said in a statement that the tree was in Israeli territory.
A retired Israeli general claimed that the incident was a Lebanese "ambush", saying that snipers had opened fire on his colleagues after they defied instructions made by loud hailer to retreat. He said that the Israeli soldiers had crossed a border fence that did not hug the border itself, and so was in Israeli territory
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
UN confirms it was in Israeli territory.
The fence is not along the border like our fence so crossing it does not mean they are in Lebanese terrirtory - it was also cleared with UN peacekeepers
so some Hizb agent in the Leb army seems to have used this opportunity to kill a Lt Col - paki behaviour
The fence is not along the border like our fence so crossing it does not mean they are in Lebanese terrirtory - it was also cleared with UN peacekeepers
so some Hizb agent in the Leb army seems to have used this opportunity to kill a Lt Col - paki behaviour
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
It's possible that Iran is trying to stir up the pot between Israel and Lebanon, in advance of its own nuclearization. Since they expect Israel to attack them, they'll want to have some tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border to justify Hezbollah's retaliation.
Another thing is that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of Syrian-assassinated Prime Minister Hariri has informed Hezbollah that UN indictments against members of Syria's govt and Hezbollah will be forthcoming. So that's another reason for Hezbollah to want to start another shooting war, in order to shore up its position:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... urder.html
Another thing is that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of Syrian-assassinated Prime Minister Hariri has informed Hezbollah that UN indictments against members of Syria's govt and Hezbollah will be forthcoming. So that's another reason for Hezbollah to want to start another shooting war, in order to shore up its position:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... urder.html
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Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Working the angles
Riyadh-Cairo-Damascus triangle
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/ ... the_angles
Riyadh-Cairo-Damascus triangle
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/ ... the_angles
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Come on now, Ataturk was hardly a European pawn. He was a legit Ottoman Army commander and put up a good fight to drive the Brits and the Greeks back. No need to withhold credit where it's due... and the Turks fought for, and won, independence without anybody's help. As for what Turkey did later, joining NATO, etc. - there's room for debate.Sanjay M wrote:Personally, I think it's good that Islamic militancy is coming ever closer to Europe's borders ("Gates of Vienna" and all that)
Because the problem is that Europeans are behind the rise of Islamic militancy, which they've sought to use as a means to harass their other enemy - the Russians. Thusfar, the Europeans haven't been too badly affected by any fallout from their support to militant Islam. For one thing, the Europeans have long been protected by the buffer of the Kemalist police state they created long ago. But the Maginot-line of the Kemalists has now been dissolved with surprising ease, so that Europe stands vulnerable once again.
We should hope that the Turks remain secular, because if they go the way of Iran, SA or Pakistan, they'll be adding enormous amounts of fuel to the already raging fire of global Sunni extremism. As for Europe and Islamic infiltration -- the land route through Istanbul has been out of fashion for decades, now it's all about the unwashed ghazis sailing to southern France, Spain, Germany and the UK. Europe is already experiencing tons of Muslim immigration without the Turks joining the EU.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Let's not criticise the Europeans too much for using Islamists to further their interests against Russia. Russia itself happily uses Islamism to further its aims as well as any other global power. Remember the real target of Islamism is not Russia, nor India, but primarily the West, specifically the US.
I think Turkish Islamism will make all sorts of interesting effects on global Sunni extremism because Turkish supremacy is a threat to Arab supremacy. I'm confident that Turkey will be the predominant power in the Islamic world, and they will jockey for influence among the faithful, so trouble for us and Israel. But that doesn't mean they will support all Islamic groups everywhere. I believe the Islamists will focus on mending relations with Russia and China in order to build a base against the West, and the Russians and Chinese will happily comply. JMT.
I think Turkish Islamism will make all sorts of interesting effects on global Sunni extremism because Turkish supremacy is a threat to Arab supremacy. I'm confident that Turkey will be the predominant power in the Islamic world, and they will jockey for influence among the faithful, so trouble for us and Israel. But that doesn't mean they will support all Islamic groups everywhere. I believe the Islamists will focus on mending relations with Russia and China in order to build a base against the West, and the Russians and Chinese will happily comply. JMT.
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Re: West Asia News and Discussions
KSA King and CP have agreed to start talks with the US over what is being dubbed as the "21st Century arms deal". A major US - KSA arms deal is imminent. I expect F-15 Sea Eagle, Black Hawk, Littoral Combat Ship (Lockheed Martin LCS).
Assistant Def Min Khaled Bin Sultan due to visit Pentagon soon for talks.
RSAF were operating in the recent Red Flag exercise. They had a chance to have a look at the F-15SE.
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US DoD is preparing Iraqi defense to be able to repel a Iranian incursion by 2nd half of 2014 by selling them US tanks etc. Still, Iraq would need USAF support.
Assistant Def Min Khaled Bin Sultan due to visit Pentagon soon for talks.
RSAF were operating in the recent Red Flag exercise. They had a chance to have a look at the F-15SE.
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US DoD is preparing Iraqi defense to be able to repel a Iranian incursion by 2nd half of 2014 by selling them US tanks etc. Still, Iraq would need USAF support.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Quick comments about the recent border clash with Lebanon - This has been in the offing for a while since gas was discovered close to the border between both countries. Both sides have border issues since the 80's. I mentioned this just a week before the clash.
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Protests and debates are pushing freedom in KSA to the limits. Authorities are starting to tolerate some criticism.
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UAE is India's key trade partner in 2009 : Indian official
India 'has treasure of Arabic documents'
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Gulf states are preparing for the Iranian threat. UAE is looking at the F-35 Brochures
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US embassy in Saudi warns Americans of possible attack
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Protests and debates are pushing freedom in KSA to the limits. Authorities are starting to tolerate some criticism.
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UAE is India's key trade partner in 2009 : Indian official
India 'has treasure of Arabic documents'
Gulf petchem producers slam India moveProfessor K.N. Panicker, one of India's foremost historians and vice-chairman of the Higher Education Council of Kerala, said India and the UAE could co-operate with each other to preserve and utilise that historical knowledge.
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Gulf states are preparing for the Iranian threat. UAE is looking at the F-35 Brochures

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US embassy in Saudi warns Americans of possible attack
I guess this should also go to Indians.(AFP) – 4 days ago
RIYADH — The American embassy in the Saudi capital has warned US citizens it has received credible information that they may be targeted for attack in the Al-Qassim district in the northwest of the city.
"We have received credible information that an unidentified extremist(s) in Saudi Arabia may be planning to attack Westerners working and living in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia," the message posted on the embassy website said.
"The timing and method of potential attacks are currently unknown," added the message which was dated August 4 and was the first of its kind this year.
The message urged Americans to keep "security and situational awareness levels high," and that they vary their routes and times to and from work, among other things.
Al-Qassim is an ultra-conservative neighbourhood of the Saudi capital, where the security forces have engaged in a series of bloody clashes with extremists including Al-Qaeda.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Big news in West Asia. Hassan Nasrallah made a big speech today, one of the most important in his career. Al Jazeera broadcasted the 2 hours live.
Nasrallah reveals that Hizballah has been able to intercept the footage of Israeli spy planes over Lebanon.
Jerusalem Post and Haaretz have edited this bit out from their news story and transcript.
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Supposedly King KSA did not want to want to be seated next to an African head of state during the Bastille day celebrations so cancelled his visit.
Nasrallah reveals that Hizballah has been able to intercept the footage of Israeli spy planes over Lebanon.
Jerusalem Post and Haaretz have edited this bit out from their news story and transcript.
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Supposedly King KSA did not want to want to be seated next to an African head of state during the Bastille day celebrations so cancelled his visit.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Very interesting indeed
Iran, Oman set the stage for joint military exercises
Iran and Oman to provide security for the Strait of Homuz
Iran, Oman set the stage for joint military exercises
Iran and Oman to provide security for the Strait of Homuz
UAE in 'very strong' earthquake zone
Muscat: Iran and Oman have agreed to protect the Strait of Hormuz, following a militant group's claim that it inflicted damage to the Japanese super tanker, VLCC M. Star, owned by Mitsui OSK Lines.
Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi, Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Minister of Iran, departed Oman on Wednesday, after agreeing with his Omani counterpart to help maintain security in the region and, in particular, in the Strait of Hormuz.
An estimated 40 per cent of the world's oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day.
There have been conflicting theories speculating about how the vessel, which had a crew of 31 and was heading to the port of Chiba, Japan, was damaged on July 28.
The crew reported that they saw a flare, followed by a blast, before the tanker’s hull was damaged.
However, after the damaged ship was taken to Fujairah, it was reported that, in all likelihood, a big wave, caused by earthquake in Iran, was in fact to blame.
The exact cause of the damage remains unclear and the company in Japan is currently investigating, with the assistance of British experts.
Oman’s Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs Syed Badr Bin Saud Al Bu Saidi held talks with," Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi, who was also received by Oman’s leader Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed, on Tuesday.
"Boosting regional countries' security provides stability, economic progresses and social-welfare," Brig Gen Vahidi, was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency.
The Omani minister referred to the activities of the Iran-Oman military committee and said the committee boosted bilateral defence co-operation.
He also said his country supports peaceful use of nuclear energy and that imposing sanctions and, or, causing a war would solve nothing.
Interaction and dialogue were the only solutions for the issue, he said.
Vahidi also called for the establishment of collective security and said: “Regional countries hold considerable potential to secure stability and tranquillity”.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
shyamd wrote:Big news in West Asia. Hassan Nasrallah made a big speech today, one of the most important in his career. Al Jazeera broadcasted the 2 hours live.



Most important in his career? For blaming Israel for Hariri's death when he even admits the evidence is spotty?
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Is that the only thing he said? Was that the only thing about the video??Carl_T wrote: Most important in his career? For blaming Israel for Hariri's death when he even admits the evidence is spotty?
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
85pc of UAE residents in deep debt
QIA ties up with Israeli conglomerate to create fund
QIA ties up with Israeli conglomerate to create fund
By James Drummond in Dubai
Published: August 12 2010 18:08 | Last updated: August 12 2010 18:08
The Qatar Investment Authority and the Olayan Group of Saudi Arabia have joined forces with a prominent Israeli conglomerate to create an emerging markets fund.
Credit Suisse, the Swiss bank, said on Thursday that it was launching a $1bn fund specialising in emerging market credit opportunities “with a small group of key shareholders”.
According to reports in Israel those shareholders are Olayan Group of Saudi Arabia, a manufacturing, services and investment conglomerate, the QIA, and IDB of Israel, a conglomerate controlled by Nochi Dankner, Israel’s most powerful businessman.
IDB said that it would be investing $250m in the fund through two subsidiaries, Koor and Clal Insurance, giving it a share of about 25 per cent in the fund.
This is the first time it has emerged that Gulf Arab investors have taken positions alongside an Israeli company.
A spokesman for the QIA said that he had “no idea” about the fund and referred questions to Credit Suisse.
Credit Suisse refused to comment on the nature of the fund but did not deny the Israeli press reports. Qatar has steadfastly hosted an Israeli commercial office in Doha through the peaks and troughs of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
But Bahrain and Oman, which at the height of optimism about a successful settlement held out the prospect of full diplomatic relations with Israel, have since cut ties.
Saudi diplomats have met Israeli officials in third countries to talk about potential settlements although the kingdom denies this.
The Olayan family is one of the longest established and respected merchant families in Saudi Arabia.
The QIA, which has $65bn-$90bn in assets under management, has holdings in Credit Suisse and Barclays and a 26 per cent stake in Sainsbury, the UK retailer, among other positions. Via Qatar Holding, its direct investment arm, has stakes in Songbird Estates, the owner of Canary Wharf and positions in Volkswagen and Porsche.
Mr Dankner, controlling shareholder of IDB, owns stakes in Clal Insurance and Cellcom, a mobile phone group. He has nearly 3 per cent of Credit Suisse.
The investment is part of IDB’s strategy to gain more exposure in emerging markets. Nochi Dankner, chairman of IDB, said: “We see a great potential in the emerging markets, which constitute a long-term growth engine for a global economy.”
He added the fund would help IDB widen its activities in countries including China, India and Brazil and establish a presence in other countries in Asia and Latin America that are undergoing high economic growth rates.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
King Abdullah of KSA has just issued a royal decree stating only senior clerics can make fatwa's.
This is just part of the process of codifiying the Islamic law and limiting power of clerics and other nutjobs.
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Indian Embassy mulling new labour initiatives
Learnt yesterday Kurdish govt is giving visa free travel to Indian passport holders.
This is just part of the process of codifiying the Islamic law and limiting power of clerics and other nutjobs.
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Indian Embassy mulling new labour initiatives
----------------------MUSCAT: The Indian Embassy is working hard to introduce new measures and initiatives including universal attestation of contracts by the embassy and payment of salaries directly into the bank accounts for housemaids as well as blue collar workers.
“In the coming months the embassy will take these up seriously with the Omani authorities,” says Anil Wadhwa, Indian Ambassador to the Sultanate.
In connection with the 63rd Indian Independence Day, Wadhwa spoke to Times of Oman on a series of issues. In this interview, he talks about labour issues related to Indian migrants.
In view of the revised labour laws, what is the Indian Embassy doing to create pre-departure awareness about the laws to the destination country? What role is the Indian Embassy playing to prevent illegal recruitment and human trafficking?
When the labour laws in Oman were amended, this embassy had duly informed the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. MOIA disseminated the information to all the state governments and other organisations. MOIA has an ongoing awareness programme to prevent illegal recruitment and human trafficking. They also issued an advisory which is available on their website. Both the countries — India and Oman — are against illegal recruitment and human trafficking. Whenever any such case comes to our knowledge, we inform the authorities in Oman and India and strict action is taken against the culprits. I am happy to tell you that over the last three years we have taken some useful steps towards controlling illegal recruitment and human trafficking in Oman.
Is any scheme being worked out for the benefit of blue collar workers from India, who are recruited in the Sultanate?
Government of India is doing everything to benefit the workers who are working abroad including those who are in the Sultanate of Oman. As you are aware a memorandum of understanding was signed between India and Oman in the field of manpower on November 8, 2008 during prime minister’s visit to Oman in order to institutionalise ways for ensuring the safety and protection of Indian migrants.
As per the provisions of the MOU, a joint committee has been formed and this committee held its first meeting in June 2010 in New Delhi. We have discussed various new measures and initiatives including universal attestation of contracts by the embassy and payment of salaries directly into the bank accounts. In the coming months the embassy will take these up seriously with the Omani authorities.
What about minimum wages for the blue collar workers?
Though a minimum wage has been fixed for housemaids, it is yet to be decided for blue collar workers. When we decide it will be different wages for different categories of workers. For example for the mason it will be more than regular labours. But that is the last step in the process. We must remember that there is a question of demand and supply in the market. If we are too rigid with minimum wages we will have violations and we won’t be able to cope with that. We are talking to the Ministry of Manpower about what is the realistic level to set the wages and the ministry also has a committee of employers so they are talking to the employers who are advising them.
Has the embassy been successful in sending back the overstayers under the amnesty programme announced by the Omani government? Is there anything that the embassy is doing to get those who didn’t register till now?
About 15,000 Indian nationals have completed their finger printing procedure and 12,000 Indian nationals have already left the country. Those who registered have clearly availed the benefit of amnesty scheme. Others will have to pay fine if they have not. We have made continuous efforts in this regard and so have the volunteers. Many have left on their own or have been regularised.
Learnt yesterday Kurdish govt is giving visa free travel to Indian passport holders.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
what kurdish govt?
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
KRG - Iraq
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
WTF is going on?shyamd wrote:Learnt yesterday Kurdish govt is giving visa free travel to Indian passport holders.

Only US and UK has that visa on arrival system....in 2009, Indians had to take visas from interior ministry of kurdistan...now thats changed...that is "significant" change.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
^^ Its probably because RIL has acreage (exploring for oil) in KRG controlled blocks. And some Govt PSU oil co's are evincing interest in certain acreage. Kurdistan has GIGANTIC amounts of oil. It is the next KSA in terms of oil. There is one company there which could have 55Bln Barrels of oil, which has control of 4 blocks. Now biggest problem here is politics. So much going on, I could write an essay. The world is nowhere near running out of oil. Kurdistan produces the cheapest oil per barrel. <$5 USD per barrrel inc transport.
India needs to go in agressively, but the political situation in Iraq isn't settled yet. The KRG gave out licenses for oil illegally according to the Ministry of Oil in Baghdad, which says it has the sole right to release acreage. But KRG (Kurdish Regional govt) say according to the constitution they have full rights as they are semi autonomous. So there is a dispute going on. More to it than that but thats should give you a basic picture.
RIL is in there with 1 block at the moment. Some more yindian co's are scouting.
India needs to go in agressively, but the political situation in Iraq isn't settled yet. The KRG gave out licenses for oil illegally according to the Ministry of Oil in Baghdad, which says it has the sole right to release acreage. But KRG (Kurdish Regional govt) say according to the constitution they have full rights as they are semi autonomous. So there is a dispute going on. More to it than that but thats should give you a basic picture.
RIL is in there with 1 block at the moment. Some more yindian co's are scouting.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Thank you.
TIA
Please do in your convenience.So much going on, I could write an essay
TIA
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Will do when time permits
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HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos has sent a cable of congratulations to President Pratibha Patil of India on the occasion of her country's Independence Day. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Patil, wishing the friendly people of India further progress and prosperity.
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Found this in WAM - Emirates Govt media service - normally used for announcing weddings and functions for the royal family.
Army doctor honoured with highest medal for fighting terrorist with bare hands
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India-Saudi Arabia ties growing stronger
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Indo-Oman ties flourishing: Envoy
MRUDU NAIK
Saturday, August 14, 2010 11:02:14 AM Oman Time
Look at the defence arena - next year both sides will be holding a huge exercise involving all parts of the armed forces of both countries.
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HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos has sent a cable of congratulations to President Pratibha Patil of India on the occasion of her country's Independence Day. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Patil, wishing the friendly people of India further progress and prosperity.
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Found this in WAM - Emirates Govt media service - normally used for announcing weddings and functions for the royal family.
Army doctor honoured with highest medal for fighting terrorist with bare hands
God Bless his brave soul.2010-08-14 14:23:14
WAM New Delhi, Aug 14, 2010 (WAM)-- An Indian Army doctor who fought an armed terrorist with bare hands in the Indian Embassy in Kabul has been posthumously honoured with India's highest gallantry award.
Maj Laishram Jyotin Singh, a doctor from the north Indian state of Manipur, was staying along with other colleagues in the Indian Embassy's residential compound. On 13 February 2010, a group of terrorists attacked the compound with guns and hand grenades, attacking each room to kill the doctors and other paramedical staff. Maj Singh caught one of them, who was lobbing grenades, and pinned him down.
The terrorist panicked and triggered his suicide vest, killing himself and Dr Singh. The brave doctor's action saved the lives of 10 of his colleagues, though two other were killed by the terrorists.
On the eve of India's 63 Independence Day tomorrow, the Government has honoured him with Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time gallantry award.
WAM G WAM/MN
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India-Saudi Arabia ties growing stronger
I think Prince Salman visit was regarding Nuke and strategic missile coop.INDIA’s ties with the people of the Arabian Peninsula go back several millennia when sailors and merchants from South Asia and the Gulf used to cross the Indian Ocean in boats constructed with teak from Malabar. Our ancestors not only shared merchandise but, through this long and substantial contact, also exchanged ideas on culture, religion and society.
As a result of this rich exchange, today there is a remarkable cultural and social affinity between the people of India and the people of the Arabian Peninsula. These ties have continued to be refreshed and enriched over the centuries.
India used to fulfill most of the requirements of the people in the peninsula, including necessities like foodstuff and textiles, as well as luxury goods such as silk and jewelry, and in return imported dates and pearls.
Relations between India and Saudi Arabia have grown stronger over the centuries due to shared feelings of respect and regard between our peoples. India admired the efforts of King Abdul Aziz to unify the various tribes of the Arabian Peninsula and set up the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Indians also supported the great efforts made by King Abdul Aziz and the later rulers of the Kingdom to improve all aspects of Haj management so that pilgrims from across the world are able to perform their pilgrimage in safety and comfort.
The leaderships of both countries have also shown unwavering commitment to strengthen these historic bonds of friendship. Our high-level engagements commenced when King Saud visited India in 1955, followed, within a year, by the visit of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the Kingdom. Later visits were those of then Crown Prince Faisal to India in 1959 and of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982.
However, it is the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India in January 2006, when he was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day, that the foundations of the contemporary relationship were laid.
Through the “Delhi Declaration” signed at the end of the visit, the two leaders committed themselves to pursuing a joint strategic vision to promote bilateral relations for mutual benefit as well as for the peace and security of the region as a whole.
Based on the road map set out in the Delhi Declaration, our bilateral relations have been strengthened since then with regular visits at ministerial level and stronger economic ties based on substantial trade relations and investments. Today, Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trade partner, with bilateral trade being valued at over $25 billion.
Indian investments in Saudi Arabia have also increased significantly since King Abdullah’s visit and today there are over 550 small and medium Indian enterprises in the Kingdom with a total value of more than $2.5 billion.
India and Saudi Arabia are witnessing a new and dynamic phase in their bilateral ties. There is increased cooperation in frontier technologies such as information services, biotechnology, nanotechnology and space. India has one of the largest scientific and technical pools of manpower in the world and is known for the excellence of its knowledge-based industries. The development of the knowledge economy promises to be a major joint endeavor.
A significant role in bringing the two countries together has been played by the Indian community, which has participated enthusiastically in all the major development projects in the Kingdom. It is not surprising that Indians, now numbering nearly two million, constitute the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom. In turn, the Kingdom is the largest source of crude oil for India, meeting 20 percent of India’s oil imports.
The visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in February 2010 was remarkable both in terms of atmosphere and spirit. During the visit, the prime minister had the honor of addressing the Shoura Council, where his speech was very warmly received by the Shoura members. An honorary doctorate was also conferred on him by King Saud University.
At the end of the visit, the two leaders signed the “Riyadh Declaration,” which articulates the similarity of assessment and approach of the two countries on regional and global issues, as also their commitment to promote bilateral ties in political, cultural, security, defense and economic areas.
New areas of cooperation, which the two countries will now pursue vigorously, include education, science and technology. The two countries are also expected to commit themselves to join forces to combat the scourge of extremism and violence, which constitute a threat to all countries in the region.
Soon after the visit of the Indian prime minister to the Kingdom, Prince Salman, governor of Riyadh, visited India carrying a message of friendship and good will. The visit was very important both on account of his stature in the government of the Kingdom as also the fact that the visit picked up on many of the points that had emerged as important elements in our bilateral relations in the political and economic fields.
This engagement of our two leaders and peoples forms part of historical ties that go back several millennia and have served to define our common culture and our societal values, and have encouraged a strong desire from both sides to work together for the common benefit of both countries.
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Indo-Oman ties flourishing: Envoy
MRUDU NAIK
Saturday, August 14, 2010 11:02:14 AM Oman Time
You can see the level of contacts between the Sultanate of Oman and India... all the major Indian business leaders have visited Oman over the last year or so as part of delegations. Just today another steel plant is going to be built by an Indian company. Also look at the number of visits from both sides - its a constrant stream.MUSCAT: There has been a significant progress in bilateral trade and commerce between Oman and India in the past few years.
“Bilateral trade has touched a new peak by crossing $3,314 million in 2009 as compared to $900 million in 2006,” said Anil Wadhwa, the Indian ambassador to the Sultanate.
Besides, he also informed about the proposals to open new schools in Massirah and Thumrait.
In connection with the 63rd Indian Independence Day, the Indian ambassador, who has completed three years of his assignment in the Sultanate spoke to Times of Oman about some of the significant achievements that were accomplished during his tenure.
Saying that he is particularly happy with the significant progress in bilateral trade and commerce, Wadhwa informed that few big investment proposals have also been finalised recently.
These include Omani investment in Bharat Oman Refinery Ltd in India, acquisition of Shadeed Iron and Steel Plant in Sohar by India’s Jindal Steel Group, Voltamp’s joint venture with Al Anwar Group to set up transformer manufacturing unit in Sohar and Al Tamman Indsil Ferrochrome LLC, a joint venture between Indsil group of India and Al Tamman Group of Oman to set up a Ferro alloy venture in Sohar.
The Indian ambassador said, “I have worked hard with our commercial wing to ensure that our trade and investments keep growing in the future by setting up institutions like the India-Oman Joint Investment Fund, the India-Oman Business Forum and organising India-centric business seminars in cities outside Muscat. This year, we will continue these seminars and also launch new India-centric investment funds. I am certain that we are going to witness a boom in trade and commerce between our two countries in the coming years.”
The envoy was upbeat over Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of financial affairs and Energy Resources Council’s visit to India where Oman and India signed a deal to set up a joint investment fund with a paid-up capital of $100 million. The ambassador said, “I describe it as a milestone visit which paved the way to the signing of final documents related to the India-Oman Joint Investment Fund. The capital of this fund is to go up to $1.5 billion.”
Under the agreement, The State General Reserve Fund from Oman and State Bank of India will be the operational parties. The two parties will launch an Oman-India Joint Investment Fund Management Company, headquartered in Mumbai. Setting up of Oman-India Joint Investment Fund with the initial seed capital of $100 million will help the investors of both countries to guarantee investment capital for identified projects.
“While Oman is keen to diversify its oil and gas industry based economy to a modern industrialised economy, India is keen to develop its infrastructure and industry to support its growth path. To achieve double digit growth, India needs massive investment in various infrastructure projects and industries such as power generation, renewable energy, communication and tourism, etc,” Wadhwa said.
The Indian ambassador described 2010 as a “dynamic year” in bilateral relations.
“We have seen several ministerial level visits from India that include the visit of Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah in January, 2010, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Shashi Tharoor in February, 2010 and Minister of Defence, A. K. Antony in May, 2010.
These visits came within the framework of strengthening the already existing friendly relations in all spheres between India and the Sultanate. From Oman, Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of financial affairs and Energy Resources Council visited India last month to witness the signing ceremony of the India-Oman Joint Investment Fund. Now we are expecting the visit of Mohammed Al Zubair to release the report which identifies priority areas of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade and commercial relations between the two countries. The report was prepared by a strategic group set up after the visit of Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in November, 2008 to the Sultanate,” Wadhwa informed.
The Commerce and Industry Minister of India Anand Sharma is also due to visit Oman for a meeting of the Joint Commission between the two countries.
“There are few more agreements under the pipeline; I hope the latter half of the year would be busy in bilateral exchange of visits,” the ambassador said.
In his view the most notable achievements have been in the field on improving the conditions of the blue collar workers, especially housemaids.
“We are now executing recruitment of housemaids through an agreement with the embassy which prescribes a minimum wage and certain other conditions. We are working to extend this scheme to all blue collar workers as well and I am hopeful that it will be done soon. For far too long they have toiled without minimum wages and without their salaries being paid into banks.
Amnesty scheme
“During my stay here, I have seen implementation of the amnesty schemes announced by the Ministry of Manpower which has allowed poor overstayers to leave without payment of fines. The first two amnesties were India-centric,” he said.
In field of culture, the embassy has taken various successful initiatives to strengthen the cultural relationship between India and Oman.
“The embassy has organised various cultural events such as film shows, textiles shows, painting exhibitions, visit of artisans for live demonstration of Indian handicrafts, musical evenings, vocal and dance performances etc,” the ambassador explained.
Speaking on India and Oman’s long history of fruitful cooperation dating back to many years, the ambassador said, “India and Oman have a longstanding and traditional trading and maritime relations. Thus, people of both countries enjoy a historical partnership. The existing civilisational links have facilitated harmonising our bilateral positions on various issues of mutual concern and have also helped in leveraging economic stakes for mutual benefit. This relationship has grown further over the years with bilateral visits of high level delegations from both the sides.”
Informing that India established its diplomatic relations with Oman in 1955 with the opening of a small consulate in Muscat, ambassador said, “Since, then bilateral relations between India and the Sultanate have come a long way. The multifold relationship between the two countries is pushing forward the multiple engagements between the people and the business communities of the two countries. Be it culture, communications, banking or connectivity between India and Oman, we are witnessing an increase in our engagements.”
On this historic occasion of India’s Independence Day the ambassador has a message to the Indian community as well the Omani government and its people.
“The occasion of Independence Day is our proud inheritance from our national movement. We have worked hard to translate this vision into reality, through legislative action, new programmes and new policies. Towards this end we have vastly increased fiscal support to social and human development. On this happy occasion, I extend my warm greeting to the expatriate Indian community in Oman for the respect they have earned in the Sultanate which they have achieved with their excellence in work, and their law-abiding and peaceful nature. They are the true ambassadors of India and they make me and our country proud.
“I am also thankful to the government of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said for providing a hospitable and peaceful environment for the Indian expatriate community. I pray for the well-being of His Majesty and his government and for over all development of Oman.”
On whether an extension is in the offing for him, “I have completed three years in Oman which is the normal stipulated tenure for Indian diplomats. It is up to the Indian Foreign Ministry to decide how long they want me here. While I am here I will continue to do my best to build our bilateral relationship with Oman. Even after I leave Oman, whenever that is, the Sultanate of Oman will always be on my mind.”
Look at the defence arena - next year both sides will be holding a huge exercise involving all parts of the armed forces of both countries.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
An Alarming video every Westerner should see
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewke ... ea1ceb73e4&
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewke ... ea1ceb73e4&
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
This is what Zawabit is about:
Nightwatch, 12 Aug 2010:
Nightwatch, 12 Aug 2010:
Lack of central authority excuse was useful in the colonial times when the ruler was located in Europe. Even after local leaders were elected after end of colonial rule, the leaders refused to assert authority over the ulema under the rubric of secularism and modernist ideas.Saudi Arabia: For the record. Saudi TV ran as a breaking news item, "Royal order to his eminence the kingdom's Grand Mufti to restrict the issuance of fatwas to members of Senior Scholars Council."
Comment: The King has asserted discipline over the practice of issuing religious orders - fatwas. The practice is abused often in that marginally literate imams with only basic schooling in Islamic law judge themselves entitled to tell local believers how to behave, under pain of religious punishment.
Only the highest religious authorities or schools of recognized authorities are entitled to issue fatwas, which are somewhat similar to Papal Bulls in western history. The lack of a central authority to ensure orthodoxy in Sunni Islam results in all sorts of orders issued with the force of religious faith by under-educated imams. Some have been issued against the Royal family. The King's patience apparently is exhausted.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
De-classified US govt documents that is doing the rounds on the internet. It says the following on Saudi Israeli contacts. The first contacts took place in Bombay!
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News from Lebanon is that the former deputy chief of staff of the Lebanese Army turned out to be an Israeli spy. It turns out that a journo wrote that the guy was going to be arrested but the Minister of Defence of Lebanon asked the Lebanese army to wait, by this time the former CoS escaped. Shocking that a spy reached that high in ranking.
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Nasrallah presents Israel 'evidence'
Reuters video of Nasrallah's evidence against Israel. Amazing that Hezbollah has been intercepting drone vision since 1990's! This does mean India needs to do an inhouse cleaning too of drone links.
Nasrallah describes 1997 ambush
Nasrallah says he was given copies to another spies confession on Hariri murder. Check out the full conference here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5odeTwU2zjw
He also outlines the 11 methods of intelligence collection by Israel. Very interesting. He lays out a picture of how Israel collects its intel. Thats 27mins into the vid.
Further he shows interceptd surveillance footage of routes taken by commanders of the Hezbollah and how they were later assassinated. Hezbollah managed to use these intercepted footage to their advantage in 1997 when they ambushed a group of israeli commandoes who were trying to plant explosives. He Also shows routes of convoys of senior politicians etc. He also asks why the UN never spoke to spies arrested by Lebanese intel as many of them had confessed that they were timing the time it took from an infiltration point on the beach to a target location which turned out to be the house of the CoS of Leb army. Others also had polticians houses etc. Various examples given as well as actual israeli UAV footage.
This paragraph has been published in the Clive Jones book: Britain and the Yemen Civil War.Anctual Israeli support of the Saudi-Imamate causes probably began prior to any direct meetings between representatives of the two governments and the Yemeni Royalist movement...This study has been able to trace at least two locations of direct Saudi-Israeli meetings which began at two distinct phases in the Yemeni civil war. The first traceable set of meetings began in March of 1963 in India. Indian sources reported that an official of the Saudi Embassy in India, Ahmad Allalah Al-Qadi, began frequenting the Israeli consulate in Bombay. According to Arab (Egyptian) sources, Crown Prince Faisal ordered the Saudi official's meetings in reaction to the two Arab nationalist coups in Baghdad and Damascus in February and March 1963 that removed anti-Nasser governments from power in each state...The focus of the Israeli-Saudi talks were the prospects for Israel dropping arms for the Royalist tibal forces as well as Israel providing military intelligence regarding Egyptian army movements and capabilities to both the Saudis and Yemenis. Israeli and Yemeni representatives met directly, either upon their own initiative, or under Saudi auspices, during this period. An Imamate delegate visited Israel in March 1963 at the same time that the Saudi embassy official began visiting the Israeli consulate in Bombay...However, other Israeli sources disclosed that unmarked Israeli planes made over a dozen and perhaps as many as twenty flights from Djibouti to drop arms over Royalist areas in late 1962 and most of 1963. The second confirmed set of Saudi-Israeli meetings occurred in Europe and began in 1965. In a highly unusual manner, former Israeli ambassador to Great Britain (1965-1970) Aharon Remez, made mention of his, and other high Israeli officials, continuous contacts with "Arab leaders from Saudi Arabia and Jordan" in a 1983 newspaper interview. In neither the original Kol Ha'ir (August 12, 1983) newspaper article nor subsequent interview did the former ambassador reveal the contents of the meetings, except to say that "not much came out of these, but they were very eye opening." In all subsequent interviews Remez stated that he feared that it was still early early to talk about the meetings. However, other (military) sources, claim that AMAN, the Saudi Defense Ministry and the security branches of Iran, including SAVAK as well as the Iranian Ministry of Defense, were in constant contact with one another even following the Israeli victory in June 1967. One source asserts that Moshe Dayan was the key intermediary with the Saudi defense establishment who soon shifted their focus of concern toward other areas of the Arabian Peninsula, such as the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen..." (pp. 23-25 from the unpublished, unclassified secret US government study).
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News from Lebanon is that the former deputy chief of staff of the Lebanese Army turned out to be an Israeli spy. It turns out that a journo wrote that the guy was going to be arrested but the Minister of Defence of Lebanon asked the Lebanese army to wait, by this time the former CoS escaped. Shocking that a spy reached that high in ranking.
----------------------------------
Nasrallah presents Israel 'evidence'
Reuters video of Nasrallah's evidence against Israel. Amazing that Hezbollah has been intercepting drone vision since 1990's! This does mean India needs to do an inhouse cleaning too of drone links.
Nasrallah describes 1997 ambush
There is more evidence than this. One of the arrested spies in Lebanon's sole task was to monitor convoy movements of a certain poltiician and also report frequents to a certain cafe's in a district.Hezbollah chief claims group intercepted Israeli drone transmissions, used footage to set up ambush for commando troops which killed 12. In same speech Nasrallah also accuses Israel of involvement in Hariri murder plot
Roee Nahmias
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said Monday that his organization had intercepted transmissions by Israeli drones, which allowed it to set up an ambush for IDF commandoes raiding the Lebanese coastal village of Antsaria in 1997.
The disastrous raid, in which 12 commando soldiers were killed, is known as the 'Shayetet catastrophe'.
In an especially vehement televised speech, Nasrallah also attempted to shift blame for the murder of Rafik Hariri to Israel.
Nasrallah said he had "evidence" that the state had tried to convince the Lebanese prime minister Hezbollah was trying to hurt him.
The Hezbollah chief also presented footage he claimed was filmed by an Israeli drone accompanying the IDF force, which shows the orchard in which the soldiers were ambushed. It also shows an IDF chopper arriving to carry the victims away.
He said the ambush was planned after Hezbollah succeeded in transferring footage from an Israeli observation drone to its war room. "It was a technical achievement for Hezbollah," he said.
"We succeeded in analyzing these pictures, and assumed Israel was planning on operating there," Nasrallah said. "Our men waited there for a few weeks, and on one of the nights the commando soldiers walked into the ambush we prepared."
'Israel documented Hariri murder'
Nasrallah also presented "proof" that Israel was involved in Hariri's murder. He described what he claimed were exact times and locations in which Israeli drones appeared over Lebanese territory on the day before the prime minister's death, as well as on the day itself, in order to prove that Israel was documenting the murder from above.
Nasrallah also showed footage of a man he called Ahmed Nasrallah, whom he claimed is of no relation to himself, saying he had served as a spy for Israel.
The other Nasrallah, who was arrested by Hezbollah, was shown telling the camera that he had informed Hariri the group intended to carry out an attack against him and his family using a car bomb, after numerous failed attempts on his life.
"I promised I would convene a press conference to open up new horizons and help in accusing Israel of the assassination of Rafik al-Hariri, and that is what I am doing," Nasrallah said in the beginning of his speech.![]()
"Since 1993 Israel has been trying, using its agents, to convince al-Hariri that Hezbollah was attempting to assassinate him."
Nasrallah claimed that Israel immediately blamed his organization for the murder. "Israel has the ability to carry out operations of this kind and all of its operations in and outside of Lebanon are evidence of this," he said.
"We recall many cases in which agents entered through the beaches and various ports. Israel had the motive and the interest. It is hostile to the entire resistance movement, especially Hezbollah, as well as Syria."
The Hezbollah chief explained that Israel "was trying to make Syria leave Lebanon and this was the backdrop for the Hariri murder".
"This blood was used to remove Syria from Lebanon and to harm the resistance. This is the motive and the interest," he added.
Nasrallah says he was given copies to another spies confession on Hariri murder. Check out the full conference here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5odeTwU2zjw
He also outlines the 11 methods of intelligence collection by Israel. Very interesting. He lays out a picture of how Israel collects its intel. Thats 27mins into the vid.
Further he shows interceptd surveillance footage of routes taken by commanders of the Hezbollah and how they were later assassinated. Hezbollah managed to use these intercepted footage to their advantage in 1997 when they ambushed a group of israeli commandoes who were trying to plant explosives. He Also shows routes of convoys of senior politicians etc. He also asks why the UN never spoke to spies arrested by Lebanese intel as many of them had confessed that they were timing the time it took from an infiltration point on the beach to a target location which turned out to be the house of the CoS of Leb army. Others also had polticians houses etc. Various examples given as well as actual israeli UAV footage.
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Re: West Asia News and Discussions
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100817/wl ... 0817120240
Israel has '8 days' to hit Iran nuclear site: Bolton
Israel has '8 days' to hit Iran nuclear site: Bolton
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Israel has "eight days" to launch a military strike against Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility and stop Tehran from acquiring a functioning atomic plant, a former US envoy to the UN has said.Iran is to bring online its first nuclear power reactor, built with Russia's help, on August 21, when a shipment of nuclear fuel will be loaded into the plant's core.At that point, John Bolton warned Monday, it will be too late for Israel to launch a military strike against the facility because any attack would spread radiation and affect Iranian civilians."Once that uranium, once those fuel rods are very close to the reactor, certainly once they're in the reactor, attacking it means a release of radiation, no question about it," Bolton told Fox Business Network."So if Israel is going to do anything against Bushehr it has to move in the next eight days."Absent an Israeli strike, Bolton said, "Iran will achieve something that no other opponent of Israel, no other enemy of the United States in the Middle East really has and that is a functioning nuclear reactor."
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
It's always a possibility that Israelis/US are trying to fake out Iran with the '8 Days' thing, so that after the 8 days are over then Iran will feel relieved and let its guard down, and that's when the Israelis are really planning to strike.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Pahle aap, Pahle aap dance....
Nightwatch 8/17/2010
Neither is going to do it.
Nightwatch 8/17/2010
Israel won't do that and wants massa to do the needful. Massa wants Isreal to do it. So they can be clean.Israel: The chance that the US will take military action against Iran to stop its nuclear program will likely increase after Secretary of Defense Gates steps down in 2011, according to assessments within the Israeli defense establishment, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
Comment: The remainder of the article discussed Secretary Gates' recent career. The significance of the Post item is the implication that Israel continues to look to the US to take the lead in using military action to destroy or disrupt Iran's nuclear program - a longstanding position - and that Israel will not take action unilaterally well into 2011, if ever.
The Post item could be part of a deception but it is consistent with Israeli behavior. The NightWatch hypothesis, based on past Israeli behavior, is that the US must support at least indirectly any Israeli military action against Iran. Within the time horizon set by Secretary Gates' announcement, Israel also will have assessed the outcome and implications of US mid-term elections in November.
Neither is going to do it.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Certainly, Obama's presidency isn't going out on a limb for Israel. But once Obama is defeated in the next elections, it could be a totally different whitehouse and a whole other ballgame.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Ramanaji, neither can do it. Simple as that. Iran knows the weakness of both. Iranian leaders have been saying time and again, US and Israel cannot afford to go to war.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
US may not, but Israel may have to do so if it's survival is threatened which Ahmadinejad has been doing so for years. I don't know if Israel is strong enough to withstand a war with Iran.
What the US could do is get an Arab nation scared enough of Iran in order to push it to war. But I doubt any such Arab nation is willing to do it.
What the US could do is get an Arab nation scared enough of Iran in order to push it to war. But I doubt any such Arab nation is willing to do it.