West Asia News and Discussions

[shyamd]

India orders Israeli armed UAVs - in case US drones reach Pakistan

ME game-changer: US nuclear shield for Saudis, Gulf emirates

The US test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic Trident missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads from Saudi territory during a joint military exercise last week, a Western military official reported late Wednesday, March 31.

A US defense spokesman denied the Trident's launch, Wednesday, April 1, but Saudi security sources stand by the report.
debkafile's military sources report this was the first time in Middle East military history that a nuclear-capable missile was fired from the oil kingdom toward the Persian Gulf and Iranian shores. It came in response to Saudi and Gulf Arab concerns over America's failure to halt Iran's evolving nuclear weapon program.
DEBKA-Net-Weekly out Friday will discuss the strategic aspects of this game-changer for Iran and Israel. To subscribe to DEBKA-Net-Weekly, click here

The official did not reveal the location of the test, the type of submarine used, whether it was successful - or even the scale of US and Saudi strength taking part in the joint exercise. Our sources report they must have been American since Saudi Arabia does not have the units or radar systems for operating multiple-headed ballistic missiles.
Regardless of the location - Saudi waters off the Red Sea or its Persian Gulf bases - the drill would have brought the Trident close to the Iranian coastline, either on the Persian Gulf or Arabian Sea.

This demonstration by the Obama administration aimed at showing Saudi and Gulf Arab rulers they are now protected by an American nuclear umbrella against an Iranian nuclear attack.
Monday, March 29, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan said Saudi and U.S. warplanes will carry out joint air exercises soon.

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Carl_T, Met the guy at a Nowrooz (Iranian new year) party.

Johann, Basically - he was anti establishment, and my friend who introduced me to him, later told me he had to run away into Turkey and then managed to get asylum into the UK. My other friend told me not to ask too many questions with him, because the attitude from these countries is that they are scared about intelligence in general. Intelligence agents might be your neighbour, so they don't want too many people to know etc.

I get a feeling that he might have spied for the west. He didn't want to say too much other than the fact that he had fought against the Israeli's on the frontline and he was involved in training the Hezballah. I guess frontline war isn't really a pretty site and he is probably here to getaway from it all. He mentioned that Hezbollah have a lot of power today, and Lebanon has become even more messed up today as there are just too many army's/militias now. He seemed to know Syria fairly well too.

His attitudes: Spoke broken arabic and is of Iranian origin. He started telling us that Hitler and Ahmadinejad (he gave 2 other leaders names) are the same (I Presume its something to do with the jews... possible Basij propaganda?). Was talking about the Aryan race and that Iranians are aryans. He had a silver WWII German army symbol chain. He mentioned that Rafsanjani and all the leaders are all about the money, they have soo many billions. He reckons "all" of the iranian people are Shahenshahi's (shah supporters) today. It does seem that he isn't too religious as he was saying that he doesn't mind drinking now and then. (Alcohol was flowing heavily in that party! lol).

[Johann]

Iranian origin, but grew up in Lebanon? He may have come from a clerical family.

[shyamd]

Johann, No he is of purely Iranian origin, who was taken to Lebanon and was involved in training the Hezbollah in both Iran and Lebanon. He has no family etc in Lebanon. There were reports that iranians have flown in supplies and intelligence officers etc to support hezbollah.

[Suppiah]

Just when u think they have plumbed the depths of obnoxious, barbaric animalism and can only improve from this point, they show you there is room to dig further...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8600398.stm

[abhishek_sharma]

Portraits of Israel’s outposts, neighborhoods, and settlements.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2 ... o_pioneers

[jimmyray]

Portraits of Israel’s outposts, neighborhoods, and settlements.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2 ... o_pioneers

BY KAYVAN FARZANEH, ANDREW SWIFT

Photos: HAZEM BADER

Just wondering! How independent is this report

[shyamd]

I think this was concluded in security cooperation talks. Britain Oman security cooperation still continues.
Eurofighter warplanes for Oman says Britain


Oman places order for weapons from India

Huma Siddiqui
Posted: Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 0023 hrs IST
Updated: Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 0023 hrs IST
New Delhi: Oman has become the first country in West Asia to place an order for guns with India.

According to senior officials, “INSAS gun from the Ordnance Factor Board is currently undergoing trials for the Oman army.”

This is not the first time that Oman is planning to procure defence equipment from India. Infact, state-owned Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) is set to foray into global market with special focus on the Gulf region.

GSL has been working on various projects to provide offshore patrol vessels to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard and is also looking forward to provide fast interceptor boats to the ministry of home affair.

Sources in the government indicated that GSL has delivered to three tugboats to Oman. “The Sultanate of Oman has expressed its keenness to buy more boats from GSL, however, due to overflow of orders that has been put on hold for the time being.”

GSL had participated in the Doha exhibition last year and it received positive response, especially from countries like Bahrain and UAE. “The officials of the Oman have visited the Indian shipyard and were impressed by the level of expertise, and suggested improvements to the ship designs,” said officials.

GSL will be undergoing modernisation to give a boost to their ship construction capability.

Excellent news! RNO is planning to place an order with the private ship builders for warships. Order is close or is pending.

[arun]

A Saudi Barbarian display of religious bigotry or a clever ploy to drum up sympathy for what could be a murder by alleging the known Saudi Barbarian predilection for anti-Hindu bigotry?

Indian woman held in Saudi Arabia for husband’s 'murder'

[Gerard]

If she wishes to take on the system,fatwas and islamic terror,why is she wearing a hijab?

Just saw a BBC programme on Saudi Arabia. It featured Prince Saud, the Governor of Hail, a grandson of Abdul Aziz.
He flew to Jeddah for an audience with his uncle (the Saudi King). Both flight attendants on this intra-Saudi flight (Arab women) wore no headcovering at all and freely displayed their long flowing hair.
His own pre-teen daughters wore pants while riding the ATVs in the desert. Their heads were likewise uncovered.
His son (about 12) was back from Canada. He related an incident with Canadian security. They had gone to a toy shop and bought remote controlled airplanes. A technician visited their hotel to help with assembly. The little brother (about 7) came into the room playing with a small toy Concorde. He then announced that he was hijacking the plane! The next day, the elder son came back to the hotel suite to face his mother and Canadian security who asked him if he knew the difference between a joke and a threat. When he told them it was the little brother, they laughed and left.

[Samay]

western agencies are too good in pinning them down even if they think of violence in their dreams,
hope this is also adopted in Indian system...

[shyamd]

Gerard, the pre-teen daughter doesnt have to wear a hijab, only after coming of age. Yeah, the royal fam can do whatever they want. One of my uni friends, was caught by religious police in Jedda with his gf, he had studied in an arabic school so he knew the quran quite well. so he told them he could screw them over with a certain verse and they let him and his gf go.

The young princes are quite scared of the mutawwa.

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As I have said, things are changing in KSA and the country is slowly being opened up. Here is the latest move by the royal family
Saudi women get ID cards for GCC travel

Web posted at: 4/5/2010 2:28:19
Source ::: AGENCIES
JEDDAH: Saudi women can now get national ID cards that can be used to travel to countries of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) according to a report published on Saturday.

“Women don’t need a male guardian to apply,” said Latifa Al Ghamdi, an official of the women’s section of the Civil Affairs Department in Dammam.

According to the Arab News daily, women don’t need a male guardian to apply.

However, despite the new offer from the Kingdom’s Department of Civil Affairs, women will still require permission from their male guardians to travel abroad.

The new high-tech cards will include GPS tracking, fingerprints and features that will make them difficult to forge.

“This step will add some self-esteem to Saudi women that will help them ease their movement in the region, especially for businesswomen who travel a lot,” Lama Al Sulaiman, deputy chairwoman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the Saudi daily.

The ID card, which is optional, has been seen as another step toward women’s empowerment in the Saudi Kingdom.

[shyamd]

Indian dhow with 8 sailors rescued from pirates

STAFF WRITER 17:33 HRS IST

Ahmedabad, Apr 6 (PTI) Eight Indian sailors on board a dhow, hijacked by Somali pirates last month, have been rescued by US and Oman navies, but one of them died as he jumped into the sea fearful of getting hurt, a shipping association today said.

President of the Kutch Vahanvati Association (KVA) Kasam Ali Bholim said the vessel 'Faiz-E-Osmani', hijacked on March 28, was rescued by a joint operation of US and Oman navies.

"The navies which were searching for pirates in the sea near the Somalia coast spotted the vessel and cautioned the Indian sailors on board to take cover before the rescue operation began," Bholim told PTI.

"One of the sailors Sultan Ahmed Khijja jumped into the sea fearing that he might get hurt during the operation.

He was rescued but could not be saved as he had gulped water in large quantity," he said.

[shyamd]

Dawood Ibrahim provided logistics support for 26/11 - US Report

The Karachi-based D-company of the fugitive Indian underworld don Dawood Ibrahim possibly had an important role in 26/11 carnage by providing logistic support to the LeT-operatives to carry out the deadly operation, adding a new dimension to the Mumbai terror attacks.

The involvement of the D-company in the Mumbai attacks has come out in a report on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) released by the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College, Department of Defence, which says that the D-company is now closely tied with LeT activities in India.

According to the report, Dawood is believed to have resided in Pakistan since 1993 and now owns malls, luxury homes, and shipping and trucking lines that smuggle arms and heroin into India.

In exchange for his refuge in Pakistan, the report said a percentage of D-company’s profits were diverted to ISI-supported Islamic militant groups such as LeT.

“Evidence demonstrates that these links were formed in late 1993 or early 1994. Photographs of Tiger Memon posing with leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front (JKIF) at an ISI safe house in Muzaffarabad surfaced and served as the first proof of the involvement of mafia money in Kashmir,” the report said.

The report authored by Ryan Clarke says the D-company has now extended its base to Saudi Arabia too.

“LeT, which is estimated to be responsible for 60 per cent of terrorist killings in India, has been able to establish cells in several parts of the world as a result of assistance received from elements within ISI and Dawood’s network within India and in the Gulf,” the report said. “There have been arrests of LeT operatives all over the world, including seven arrests by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during then Pakistan President Musharraf’s June 2003 visit to the United States.”

Even though the information was repressed in order to avoid embarrassing Musharraf, the operatives from Washington and Philadelphia were eventually charged with “stockpiling weapons and conspiring to wage jihad against India in support of terrorists in Kashmir,” it said.

Further, U.S. authorities claim that there are still two wanted suspects related to these arrests that are residing in Saudi Arabia.

“D-company has shifted some of its assets to Saudi Arabia fearing a crackdown from UAE authorities, and if LeT operatives are indeed hiding in the Sunni kingdom they are possibly doing so with Ibrahim’s knowledge and assistance. Saudi money is also a primary financer of LeT’s activities in Pakistan and Kashmir,” it said.

The report points to Tanvir Ahmad Ansari, a practitioner of Unani medicine and LeT operative suspected of involvement in the 7/11 Bombay serial bombings, was tasked with strengthening relations between LeT and D-company.

The motivations for this cultivation were both tactical and strategic as LeT’s partner in the Islamic Front for Jihad, al-Qaeda, expressed a desire to expand its operations in East Africa and were willing to offer cash for D-company’s networks.

“Ibrahim accepted al-Qaeda’s offer, and Anees Ibrahim, Dawood’s younger brother, made sizeable investments in the shipping industries of East Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to underwrite D-company’s narcotics trafficking activities,” the report said.

The arrest of Syed Abdul Karim, a top LeT operative, in Mombassa, Kenya, is another demonstration of the link between LeT and D-company as Karim was utilising the well-established D-company infrastructure in East Africa to avoid arrest,” it added.

Observing that Dawood has strong relations with several wealthy traders in Mombassa, many of whom are of South Asian descent, the report said these occurrences have led some to believe that Ibrahim is the “point man” for al-Qaeda and that although Dawood is not an ISI agent, he is indeed an accomplice to their subversive activities.

As D-company has established infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and as Riyadh’s effort to stem the outward flow of terrorism from its territory have fallen short, traffic may increase as Saudi Arabia will continue to serve as a major transit point for money and fighters for conflicts in Middle Eastern hot spots and also for problem zones in the Indian subcontinent.

“Although it is important not to adopt an alarmist stance over the potential of Saudi Arabia’s enhanced role in Kashmir, it would be prudent for analysts and security personnel to monitor the situation closely,” the report cautioned.

[Klaus]

Obama administration approves killing of Anwar al-Awlaki. This American cleric is currently at large in Yemen.

It is the approach by the Americans to make sure that any potential home-grown Islamic threat is neutralised before it becomes too big to handle. Not surprising at all.

[shyamd]

Israel bars Gandhi's grandson from entering Gaza

[shyamd]

New IOL issue out- Quite busy today. Will try and post the issues. Lots of TSP/US/KSA news this week and what went on during Qureshi visit to Riyad. What Shuja Pasha told his US counterparts, what TSP requests have been made to the US.
Here are the highlights:
Flurry of activity between Beijing and Tel Aviv. Israeli intel officers have been paying many visits to Beijing - Looks Iran related, trying to pressure Beijing on the crucial vote. But I am curious to see why its not diplomats and intel officiers doing the runs between the cities.
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Paris will not be taking any action against the Mossad due to the Dubai operation. Sarkozy has said go easy.
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As the houthi rebels ( child soldiers and gun toating, khat chewing yemeni kids) wooped KSA national guard, HM King Abdullah has called for reform of the KSA national Guard.
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Syrian mili intel and Hezbollah have formed a joint team to infiltrate Lebanese interior ministry (Saad Hariri's fav intel service).
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More later...

[arun]

Sharjah has banned wearing the Lungi in public .

Is it the display of hariy ankles that has disturbed the Sharjah authorities?

Sharjah bans South Asian attire lungi in public

[Johann]

Shyam, if its really sensitive diplomatic negotiations then the Mossad actually has more experience than the foreign ministry!

Israel may have to promise Beijing things that would make the Americans very unhappy in order to secure their vote.

For example Israel's relationship with the PRC used to be closer in the past until the US really put the kibbosh on Israeli sales of advanced defence technology to China, whether it was the Lavi or the Phalcon.

[sum]

Sharjah has banned wearing the Lungi in public .

Is it the display of hariy ankles that has disturbed the Sharjah authorities?

Sharjah bans South Asian attire lungi in public

So, the Gelf citizens cant do the Lungi-dance now?

On a serious note, what wrong did the Lungi do now? Is it because it isnt mentioned in the Quran?

[shyamd]

Johann, you are right - but Mossad department which deals with foreign affairs is just like foreign ministry right? They just maintain relations with nations.
-------------------
Quite shocked about the lungi ban because its an attire that even the emirati fishermen use, even the Dubai crown prince is pictured with a lungi. Quite weird but ask anyone about Sharjah, they always say the govt is quite stupid and weird there. A variation of the Lungi is even worn in rural Oman and is commonly seen in Yemen.
-------------------
Okay first up from IOL:
Saudi National Guard's performance was soo abysmal that the KSA special forces needed to be called in by the defence minister. King Abdulla asked his son Mutaib to do a major reorganisation of the KSA national guard. They have earmarked $3billion to be spent.

The Guard will have a rapid reaction force supported by a fleet of helicopters and drones. They are also creating a unit that will be backed up by tribal milita recruited from tribes living on the frontier with Syria, Jordan and Iraq, the area that Mutaib's mother Jawahir comes from. So the 70k National Guard will undergo intensive training.

120 national guard men were lost in the houthi operations (my comment: ermmm I think its much more!)

The King's military bureau has redefined the respective tasks of the three principal Saudi forces. Army will monitor the borders, Ministry of interior units will tackle jihadi's and the national guard will protect the oil wells and pipelines.
----------------------
French govt is going easy on Israel. Just some minor case of fraud has been filed in the justice ministry. At the moment the investigation is being led by the BRDA of the french police (a police department which specialises in economic and financial affairs but is unfamiliar with intelligence matters).

French intelligence have been investigating how the mOssad pulled of forging the french passports though as 4 individuals had french passports.
Mossad stole the identities of four French nationals whose passports had been scanned at Tel Aviv airport who looked similar to the Kidon unit guys who were to carry out the mission in Dubai.

Israeli and French intel working together on release of Franco israeli gilad shalit.

----------------------
From Haaretz
Settlers push to evict two more East Jerusalem families

Settler groups are pushing to evict two more Palestinian families from their homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, part of a wider program to demolish Palestinian homes in the area to make way for 200 housing units designated solely for Jews.

----------------------------
Amnesty international
Exclusive: Images reveal devastation in Yemen’s hidden conflict in the north

A destroyed house with graffiti reading: “This is the help Yemen gets from America”. © Private
----------------------
link

A 23-year-old journalist is under arrest for exposing a secret Israeli assassination plot, and another has fled to London, afraid for his life. Judith Miller talks to insiders who have been gagged by the government about the scandal rocking Tel Aviv, and Israel's slide toward Iranian-style censorship.

[Suppiah]

Sharjah has banned wearing the Lungi in public .

Is it the display of hariy ankles that has disturbed the Sharjah authorities?

Sharjah bans South Asian attire lungi in public

This is just another reflection of the overall theme in ME...barbaric animals that were living in tents eating camels and drinking their blood not long ago now go around in Landrovers and wear full suits to work in 47 degree weather - and hence look down upon anything that is not 'modern'

This will only end WHEN (not if) the oil era ends..

Interestingly lungi is mostly, if not exclusively worn only by ROP followers, so this is kind of a good example of how persecution works even within own religion..

[abhishek_sharma]

Weighing an Obama Plan to End a Mideast Logjam

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/world ... prexy.html

But on that Wednesday, the morning after the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had failed to resolve a standoff over new construction in East Jerusalem with Mr. Obama in White House talks, the major discussion topic was the Middle East. And the question on the table after Mr. Obama joined in: had the time come for the president to put forward his own proposal outlining what a peace deal should look like?

...

What that would be remains up in the air, but most Middle East experts draw the same outline for a peace deal. First, Palestinian officials would have to accept that there would be no right of return for refugees of the 1948 war that established the Israeli state, and for their millions of descendants. Rather, the Palestinians would have to accept some kind of compensation. Second, the two sides would have to share Jerusalem — Palestinians locating their capital in the east and Israelis in the west, and both signing on to some sort of international agreement on how to share the holy sites in the Old City.

Third, Israel would return to its 1967 borders — before it captured East Jerusalem and the West Bank in the Six-Day War — give or take a few negotiated settlements and territorial swaps. Fourth, the United States or NATO would have to give Israel security guarantees, probably including stationing troops along the Jordan River, to ease Israeli fears that hostile countries could use the Palestinian state as a springboard for attacks. And finally, Arab neighbors like Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel.

[mmasand]

Pls note Sharjah or Shariqaah in Arabic is not an integral part of the UAE.They are a bunch of isolated refugee camps for SDRE's to save dough than living in Dubai.It is nothing more than a village with a bunch of stuck up Yemeni mullahs.A few years back Indian women were banned from wearing sarees which showed the tummy.

Certainly there are some ppl who tend fold it and make their lungis into shorts which i guess has pissed them off.Neverthless its hilarious!

[arun]

X Posted. Arab diplomat from Qatar, Mohammed Al-Madadi sneaks a smoke in the aircraft toilet and sparks a shoe bomb scare on a US flight. :

Updated April 08, 2010

Diplomat Sneaking Smoke on Flight Sparks 'Shoe Bomb' Scare

AP

A Qatari diplomat trying to sneak a smoke in an airplane bathroom sparked a bomb scare Wednesday night on a flight from Washington to Denver, officials said.

DENVER -- A Qatari diplomat trying to sneak a smoke in an airplane bathroom sparked a bomb scare Wednesday night on a flight from Washington to Denver, with fighter jets scrambled and law enforcement put on high alert, officials said.

No explosives were found on the man, and officials do not believe he was trying to harm anyone, according to a senior law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. …………………….

An Arab diplomat briefed on the matter identified the diplomat as Mohammed Al-Madadi. A law enforcement official said there will be no criminal charges against the man.

Two law enforcement officials said investigators were told the man was asked about the smell of smoke in the bathroom and he made a joke that he had been trying to light his shoes -- an apparent reference to the 2001 so-called "shoe bomber" Richard Reid. …………………….

AP via Fox News

[Chinmayanand]

Isn't smoking haram How many lashes are provisioned for this haram activity ?

[Chinmayanand]

Erdogan Calls Israel 'Threat' to Peace

This promises to be a tough month for Mr. Erdogan's relationships with some of his most important Western allies, as he seeks to balance Turkey's interests in boosting trade and political relations with its immediate neighbors—including Iran, Syria and Azerbaijan—with the conflicting goals of Western policy makers.

Mr. Erdogan's clashes with Israel and rapprochement with Iran and Syria have led some analysts to believe Turkey is making a fundamental foreign-policy shift away from its Cold War partners in the West, in particular the U.S., and toward Middle Eastern powers such as Iran. At a recent meeting of foreign-policy analysts in Istanbul held by the Turkish Policy Quarterly, Israeli and Turkish analysts agreed on one point—the alliance those two countries built on shared security concerns in the 1990s is probably unsalvageable.

[shyamd]

IOL:
Israeli security officers - the latest one being a General Eshel have visited Beijing to convince China to vote against Iran and also stop selling arms to tehran.

The missile fired by the Hezbollah against the Israeli Saar-5 corvette in July 2006 was an Iranian version of China's PRC C-701 for example.

[shyamd]

Link

Haifa District Court Wednesday ruled that El Al airlines must compensate two Arab Israelis some NIS 30,000, for humiliating them during security checks in a New York airport. The brothers were closely guarded throughout the checks, their movements were constrained by the airline's security detail, without anything that would determine them as a security risk. One of the brothers was also told he would not be allowed to board the flight home unless he apologizes to one of the guards.

Israeli settlement school fined for discriminating against non-white Jews
author Thursday April 08, 2010 12:08author by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

An Israeli-government funded Jewish religious school received a fine Wednesday from the Israeli government for refusing to adhere to a court order made last August requiring the school to end its policy of accepting only Ashkenazi (white European descended) Jews, and not Jews from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Haaretzz says another Israeli intel ring busted in Lebanon.
Link

He has been identified only as Munir Z. According to Lebanese media
reports, his brother Michel served in the Lebanese armed forces and now lives in Israel. And according to allegations published last week in the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Michel recruited Munir to the Israeli intelligence services. But unlike previous spy rings uncovered by Lebanese intelligence, this time the operation involved financial concerns, not military ones.

Israel seizing hundreds of millions of shekels meant for Palestinian services

For the past 15 years, Israel has been channeling hundreds of millions of shekels it had collected in the West Bank into its state coffers. The move is considered illegal, since international law prohibits an occupying power from appropriating the fruit of economic activity in an occupied territory.

Following protests by military lawyers, the deputy attorney general has ruled that the practice should be stopped and ordered an inquiry into whether the Civil Administration in the West Bank should be compensated retroactively.

[arun]

The fatal consequences of treating as legal a practice simply because it was followed some 14 centuries earlier and consequently is deemed sanctified :

Page last updated at 21:04 GMT, Thursday, 8 April 2010 22:04 UK

Yemen child bride 'bleeds to death'

A 13-year-old Yemeni girl has died of internal bleeding three days after being married, rights groups say. …………………

A medical report by the hospital where she was treated said she had suffered a tear to her genitals and severe bleeding after intercourse, the group said ………………

BBC

[shyamd]

George W. Bush 'knew Guantánamo prisoners were innocent'

George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld covered up that hundreds of innocent men were sent to the Guantánamo Bay prison camp because they feared that releasing them would harm the push for war in Iraq and the broader War on Terror, according to a new document obtained by The Times.

The accusations were made by Lawrence Wilkerson, a top aide to Colin Powell, the former Republican Secretary of State, in a signed declaration to support a lawsuit filed by a Guantánamo detainee. It is the first time that such allegations have been made by a senior member of the Bush Administration.

Sounds like the recent damage in Israeli- US relations hasn't been that badly affected.
End Israel’s U.S. Allowance So Both Can Gain: Celestine Bohlen

Israel will get $2.7 billion in military aid from the U.S. this year -- or 18 percent of Israel’s military budget. By 2013, that will lock into an annual level of $3.15 billion for five years. It also has almost $4 billion outstanding in available U.S. loan guarantees, left over from $9 billion extended at former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s request in 2003. That makes Israel the largest recipient of U.S. aid in the world, if you don’t count Iraq and Afghanistan. It also benefits from some of the easiest terms: Unlike other recipients, which must buy 100 percent American, Israel can spend about one quarter of its U.S. military aid at home, which amounts to a significant boost to its defense industry.

Wow, can't see much difference between people of the book
Synagogue goers fend off female paramedic

Magen David Adom paramedic Ruti Levy was rushed Friday along with two other unit members to a synagogue in Jerusalem's Givat Shaul neighborhood after a man fainted in the site. However, upon arrival she was prevented from entering the room and aiding the patient when ultra-Orthodox worshippers shoved her out claiming "a woman is prohibited from entering.

Under Israel's Divorce Laws, Men Get The Final Word

According to Jewish law, a man has to agree to grant the divorce of his own free will before the legal separation can proceed. Rights groups say the system unfairly discriminates against women. "If he's incapacitated, if he's abusive, if he committed adultery, it really doesn't matter," says Susan Weiss, who runs the Center for Women's Justice in Israel. "If he doesn't say yes, you're stuck.

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Home: Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman to visit India April 11-15
Occuring under the invitation of Vice President Ansari.

Zardari at the crossroads

As a consequence of degrading surrenders before the establishment, Zardari lost face with the US as well. Notorious for single-mindedly pursuing narrow interests in the region, the US has again started direct dealings with the real power-wielders in Pakistan. Every emissary of the US visiting Islamabad meets Zardari and Gilani for a few minutes, but spends hours in the GHQ to iron out all important issues. People who are well-versed with US diplomacy know that during the recently held sUS-Pakistan strategic dialogue, no important matters were discussed with civilian leaders before the cameras but in a special meeting at Admiral Mike Mullen's house with "special guests" from Pakistan. This is one strong indication of a realisation within the Obama administration that supporting a beleaguered Zardari who is facing allegations of corruption in the courts and fissures within party ranks runs contrary to the wide-ranging US interests in the region.

Saudi Arabia, a close friend and hugely influential player in our internal politics, is also not happy with the incumbent PPP government. The drift in relations has reached a point that, for the first time, the Kingdom did not invite any Pakistani leader to offset the visit of Indian prime minister to Riyadh. Instead, former CJCS Gen (r) Ihsanul Haq was invited and given a state guest reception in Saudi Arabia. Though our foreign minister has now been invited to visit the Kingdom, people like Gen (r) Ihsanul Haq are deemed to have played a key role in convincing the Saudis to invite the Pakistani foreign minister. In short, the Kingdom did not bless this government with any support and may wish to see Zardari packing.

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India sniffs opportunities in S Arabia

The Saudi Arabia 2010 budget includes an unprecedented $69.3 billion for new and existing infrastructure projects in the areas of power generation, construction, and transportation, throwing huge opportunities for India. India’s business will have an opportunity to discuss these projects when a high-level business delegation led by Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Riyadh’s Emir, arives on a week long visit at the end of the week. (Hint: Strategic missile cooperation, peaceful nuclear installations in KSA. Looks like Riyad responding positively! The fact that this delegation is staying for a week is highly significant too )

The five-day visit from April 11-15, of the governor is at the invitation of the vice-president Hamid Ansari. It is a follow-up after Prime minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the Kingdom recently. The projects cover a wide spectrum including education, health, security, social and municipal services, water, sanitary drainage, roads, electronic commerce and scientific research support. The visiting governor will address industry captains at a meeting organised jointly by Ficci and Assocham. His agenda also includes calling on president Prathibha Patil and meet with the vice president. Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Faisal Trad said, “Both countries are very serious about further developing their strategic partnership after the signing in February of the historic Riyadh Declaration.” India and Saudi Arabia decided to take their existing bilateral cooperation to a strategic partnership covering security, economic, defense (strategic missiles) and political areas (i.e. a mediator over kashmir).

Huma Siddiqui

[D Roy]

Strategic missiles?

WTF and what the hell?

why? because if we don't give it the Commies will as they have in the past?

let them. i don't see why we have to even consider such a proposition. in return for what exactly is also the question- oil? gas? OIC? Afg? Pukistan?overseas base? what hain?

None of the above merits such co-operation.

[sum]

“Both countries are very serious about further developing their strategic partnership after the signing in February of the historic Riyadh Declaration.” India and Saudi Arabia decided to take their existing bilateral cooperation to a strategic partnership covering security, economic, defense (strategic missiles) and political areas (i.e. a mediator over kashmir).

Why should we be happy about stratergic missiles and Kashmir mediator deals with a rogue nation( and Paki lover) like S. Arabia?

[shyamd]

Sumji, we aren't going to be happy over KSA being a mediator over kashmir. they will probably try it on in delhi, but MEA will obviously say no.

If we get a piece of their nuclear energy pie, we obviously make money. KSA will have to come under our influence, it makes it harder for TSP ask for things from KSA.
Strategic missiles, would mean that we will have a base of operations there, protect the millions working in the GCC.
We will make money through ksa purchasing Indian arms. If KSA follows, it usually means the others follow.

KSA is cleaning up its act, albeit slowly. Things are changing. Give them a chance.

Sure in the past they have been very bad, but let's look positively into the future. We stand a lot to gain.

KSA have a lot of $$$, if we can channel that into infra, it will increase our prosperity, GDP etc.

We do have a lot to gain.

[Carl_T]

I don't see much discussion of Indian relations with Iraq. I think similar to Saudi Arabia, it's in our best interest to have a presence in Iraq ASAP. In the future, I think a strong democratic Iraq, with its wealth would be a good partner to have in WA. We are the second biggest destination of their oil as it is. Also a possible destination for Indian arms for their rebuilding military.

[chetak]

I don't see much discussion of Indian relations with Iraq. I think similar to Saudi Arabia, it's in our best interest to have a presence in Iraq ASAP. In the future, I think a strong democratic Iraq, with its wealth would be a good partner to have in WA. We are the second biggest destination of their oil as it is. Also a possible destination for Indian arms for their rebuilding military.

Strike a balance between the shia and the sunni, as it were.

[ramana]

Need to get KSA into its historical underlordship. They changed their overlords during the 1920s.

[Prem]

Need to get KSA into its historical underlordship. They changed their overlords during the 1920s.

Thanks to UQ , they are doing same in Afghanistan. Our influence in ME, CAR has the potential to make paradigm shift in great game as well end of imperalism / coloniaism and the exploitation of natural resoureces to boost the standard of living of few million self appointed Chaudhries. We should be confident to change and uplift them instead of other way around. And shyamd , great yeoman service in keeping us updated on the events.

[shyamd]

Thanks Prem

India rolls out red carpet for Prince Salman

DAMMAM/NEW DELHI: India rolled out the red carpet for Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman on Sunday as he arrived in New Delhi on the first leg of his four-day visit. Among the senior Indian officials who received Prince Salman at New Delhi airport was E. Ahamed, the minister of state for railways.

Talking to Arab News from the Indian capital, he said Saudi Arabia has a special place in the hearts of all Indians because of its fair and balanced conduct in world affairs.

“Of particular importance is Saudi Arabia’s assurance to India on energy security and its excellent facilities for Indian pilgrims,” said Ahamed. He said the fact that Prince Salman has come immediately after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Riyadh assumes immense significance.

“This indicates how far our two countries have traveled in coming closer and closer to each other. The number of accords that were signed during our prime minister’s visit is testimony to our burgeoning relationship with Saudi Arabia.”

“Being the governor of Riyadh for the last 40 years only adds to his prestige and stature. He is a friend of Indians and all of us are delighted to see him and his delegation here,” said Ahamed.

“Being a student of history he understands the important position that India occupies in this region. He knows full well of our culture and civilization.”

A grand dinner will be hosted in Prince Salman’s honor by Vice President Hamid Ansari at the Taj Palace on Monday. Top-ranking ministers, bureaucrats and prominent figures have been invited.

A team of print and television journalists is also accompanying Prince Salman and on Sunday night, Saudi TV had a special reportage focused on the visit.

Prince Salman is heading a high-level delegation, which includes Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of Saudi Research & Marketing Group; Riyadh Mayor Prince Abdul Aziz bin Ayyaf Al-Muqrin; and Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

[Johann]

Need to get KSA into its historical underlordship. They changed their overlords during the 1920s.

Most of the Arabian Peninsula was so resource poor that states either depended on raiding, or acting as clients, or both. This was true even for the bulk of the Islamic era - by the 8th century Arabia was a backwater. The action was always elsewhere - Syria, Iraq, Central Asia, Egypt, Anatolia.

The first wave of serious American oil prospecting payments in the 1930s began to change that relationship, and serious oil production in the 1940s changed it even further. FDR's meeting with Ibn Saud on Great Bitter Lake aboard the USS Quincy in 1945 essentially as equals is a mark of that turning point.

The Saudi oil embargo against America in 1973-74 was another turning point, with Nixon crawling after Feisal to *please* turn the spigots back on, and to *please* consider spending some of those petro-dollars on the US.

Saudi ARAMCO's transition to full Saudi ownership, control in 1980 was yet another benchmark.

Saudi Arabia under two generations of astute leadership went from being a client to a patron, who outsources different aspects of its security management to different clients/contractors. The Saudis will remain in a position of power until the oil runs out.

[shyamd]

Folks, Saudi Naval officers attended the US naval exercise held recently in the Arabian Sea off the Pakistani coast during which a Trident SLBM was fired. Looks like some bigwigs attended the launch. Saudi's may have a plan to BUY the missile.

Visiting Saudi governor invites Indian investment

New Delhi, April 12 (Calcutta Tube) Saudi Arabia’s Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, who is on a five-day visit to India, Monday invited Indian businesses to invest in his country to boost ‘excellent’ bilateral ties.

Prince Salman, who belongs to the Saudi royal family and is governor of the Saudi capital Riyadh, arrived here Sunday. He met President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari here Monday.

In his meeting with Ansari, Prince Salman emphasized the need for ‘increasing economic and business interaction to promote greater mutual investments’, according to a statement from the ministry of external affairs.

Prince Salman invited Indian business leaders to explore the Saudi market and acknowledged the ’stellar contribution made by the Indian community in the economic development of Saudi Arabia’.

Saudi Arabia is an important trading and energy partner of India, with bilateral trade in 2008-09 crossing $25 billion.

The two countries have forged a strategic partnership pursuant to the historic visits of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to India in 2006, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia this year.

Vice President Ansari and Prince Salman in their talks ‘underscored the excellent state of bilateral relations, marked by historic and strong ties that are a part of our history and culture’, the statement said.

‘Given our common interests and concerns, our capabilities and needs, the two countries are poised for a qualitatively substantive and stronger relationship. Saudi Arabia figured prominently in India’s energy security matrix,’ Ansari said in his interaction with the Saudi prince.

The two leaders reiterated that ‘extremism and terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, are inherently destructive and must be fought irrespective of their source with all available means’, the statement added.

Prince Salman also addressed the leaders of the Indian business community at a luncheon meeting and urged them to explore possibilities for trade and investment in the kingdom.

The Riyadh governor is heading a high-level delegation, which includes Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of Saudi Research and Marketing Group; Riyadh Mayor Prince Abdul Aziz bin Ayyaf Al-Muqrin; and Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Saudi King planning to visit India

Highly-placed sources told FE that, ‘‘Senior officials from Saudi Arabia who are accompanying governor of Riyadh, Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, will meet government officials to decide the dates for the visit’’.

‘‘It is too early to talk about the agenda as well as the dates. The preparatory work has just started,’’ said officials.

Asharq Al Awsat is said to be the mouthpiece of the Prince Salman. He owns this newspaper and its his men who control what is published here.
Link

Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz is currently visiting India; this visit is not due to protocol or public relations but rather in order to build on the successful [previous] visit carried out by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz to India, as well as the Indian Prime Minister's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. With this visit Prince Salman is seeking to stress the importance of the "new and developing" Saudi – Indian relationship, which now includes many features that were previously absent.

The exchange of information and expertise between the two countries is now possible, and the Saudi Arabians can offer their expertise in the fields of petrochemicals, oil, gas, water desalinization, and construction, while the Indians can offer help in the fields of medicine, technology, pharmacology, and education. I am a member of the Saudi Arabian – Indian Business Council, and Saudi – Indian cooperation is something that can be seen in a number of fields. There can be no better evidence of this than Saudi Arabia accepting the role of mediator in the thorny issue of Kashmir between Pakistan and India.

The news coming from the Saudi capital these days is promising, and stresses the results of good planning and strategic vision. If this is studied further and reproduced in other fields, there will be even greater achievements.

India making its stand clear
India opposed to sanctions against Iran: PM to Obama

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was in the white House discussing the regional issues (Iran, Iraq, Af-pak).

Yemen puts ‘Iran spies’ in the dock

PM Maliki's re-election looking slimmer. Moqtada Al Sadr has been invited to Riyadh - Probably election issues, but the hardline thug...oh I mean shi'ite religious leader (ehemmm who can't speak arabic fluently) being invited by Riyadh is quite a shocker.