I liked the cartoon u posted, Smartie!
Posted on 06/30/2004 9:00:11 PM PDT by DoctorZIn
The US media almost entirely ignores news regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran. As Tony Snow of the Fox News Network has put it, “this is probably the most under-reported news story of the year.” Most American’s are unaware that the Islamic Republic of Iran is NOT supported by the masses of Iranians today. Modern Iranians are among the most pro-American in the Middle East.
There is a popular revolt against the Iranian regime brewing in Iran today. I began these daily threads June 10th 2003. On that date Iranians once again began taking to the streets to express their desire for a regime change. Today in Iran, most want to replace the regime with a secular democracy.
The regime is working hard to keep the news about the protest movement in Iran from being reported. Unfortunately, the regime has successfully prohibited western news reporters from covering the demonstrations. The voices of discontent within Iran are sometime murdered, more often imprisoned. Still the people continue to take to the streets to demonstrate against the regime.
In support of this revolt, Iranians in America have been broadcasting news stories by satellite into Iran. This 21st century news link has greatly encouraged these protests. The regime has been attempting to jam the signals, and locate the satellite dishes. Still the people violate the law and listen to these broadcasts. Iranians also use the Internet and the regime attempts to block their access to news against the regime. In spite of this, many Iranians inside of Iran read these posts daily to keep informed of the events in their own country.
This daily thread contains nearly all of the English news reports on Iran. It is thorough. If you follow this thread you will witness, I believe, the transformation of a nation. This daily thread provides a central place where those interested in the events in Iran can find the best news and commentary. The news stories and commentary will from time to time include material from the regime itself. But if you read the post you will discover for yourself, the real story of what is occurring in Iran and its effects on the war on terror.
I am not of Iranian heritage. I am an American committed to supporting the efforts of those in Iran seeking to replace their government with a secular democracy. I am in contact with leaders of the Iranian community here in the United States and in Iran itself.
If you read the daily posts you will gain a better understanding of the US war on terrorism, the Middle East and why we need to support a change of regime in Iran. Feel free to ask your questions and post news stories you discover in the weeks to come.
If all goes well Iran will be free soon and I am convinced become a major ally in the war on terrorism. The regime will fall. Iran will be free. It is just a matter of time.
DoctorZin
UK Demands Return of Navy Boats
July 01, 2004
Guardian
Matthew Tempest and Agencies
The row over the British servicemen detained by Iran reopened this morning, as Downing Street demanded the return of the navy's boats to reveal whether the flotilla had strayed or been forced into Iranian waters.
Last night the defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, re-ignited the smouldering dispute by revealing that the sailors, having been debriefed by navy officers, claimed they had been forced into Iranian territory before being taken captive.
Although the eight sailors were released after a three-day diplomatic stand-off, Tehran has so far stalled on returning the boats, and with it their satellite navigational equipment.
This morning the prime minister's official spokesman said "We still want our boats returned, not least because that would help finally to resolve what did happen, because of the navigational equipment on board.
He added: "The boats were on an entirely routine operation. There was no intention to go into Iranian waters. Our own inquiries are continuing, as the Ministry of Defence Statement says, and we are discussing this with the parties involved.
"Obviously this is a matter which our ambassador in Iran takes up with the Iranian minister for foreign affairs on a daily basis."
Mr Hoon last night said the MoD was still investigating the men's claim that they were "forcibly escorted into Iranian waters", but castigated the Iranians for blindfolding the men and parading them on television.
Today the shadow foreign secretary, Michael Ancram, demanded a "full apology" from Iran if the claims were true.
But at today's lobby briefing, reporters pressed the PMOS on whether, in the light of Mr Hoon's statement, the government had been hasty in apologising for the alleged incursion into Iranian waters.
The spokesman said: "I think the important thing was to ensure the safe return of the men involved. And that was done. The discussions about the boats continue.
"What is also important is that Geoff Hoon has made it clear that we disapproved of the blindfolding of the men and we will not expect a recurrence of such behaviour."
In a clear sign of the frosty London-Tehran relations, the spokesman made it clear " we will speak our mind when necessary", and said the boats issue was only one of many dividing the two countries.
"There are issues that we deal with with Iran, we will deal with them one by one and we will attempt to resolve them one by one," he said.
Mr Ancram told the BBC this morning that the incident created " an extraordinary strain on Iranian-British relations".
"We were required to apologise for what appeared to have been trespassing into Iranian waters," he said.
"Our servicemen were paraded blindfolded and humiliated. The equipment still has not been returned.
Iran had "a lot to lose" from the episode, he said.
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,11538,1251573,00.html
Repression increases with approach of Students Uprising anniversary
SMCCDI (Public Announcement)
Jun 30, 2004
The repression is increasing each day as the 5th anniversary date of the Students Uprising of July 9-14, 1999 is approaching. The Islamic regime is no more hiding its firm intention to try to smash any popular action as it's fearing the conjunction of internal riots with its very grave International conditions.
Threats are made publicly, by regime's official such as Ali Yoonessi, against "those intending to size the July 8th (anniversary of the Students Uprising) in order to endanger the national security". The situation in most cities is like a state of foreign occupation and is similar to the Nazi regime's repressive processes during Europe's captivity.
The official circles are spreading, each day, news on new public death sentences rendered by the regime's Judiciary force . The move is intended to increase the fear among the population while eliminating opponents under false labels.
Activists are placed under observation or are arrested without any explanation. Families are warned about the dangers for their lives if their sons or daughters chose to brave the Islamic state.
Thousands of members of the regular security forces along with elements of the special units and anti-riot forces and foreign mercenaries have been deployed in the Iranian Capital and in main cities, such as, in Esfahan, Kermanshah, Hamadan or Oroomiah (former Rezai-e). These forces guided, often, by plainclothes men affiliated to the repressive Bassij force or the Intelligence Unit of the Pasdaran Corp. are carrying the open task of intimidation by harassing anyone in the streets or often beating and arresting young boys or girls.
The persistent sexual discrimination, one of the main pillars of the Islamic republic, has been increased and women are harassed, arrested or even beaten for the "non respect of Islamic principles".
Cars and homes are searched in the middle of the night and electronic equipments, such as, satellite receivers or computers are confiscated even without any kind of phony mandate.
Rumors are spread by the regime circles about the dangers created by the Islamic republic's collapse in reference to the territorial integrity of Iran and the split of the country by foreigners.
But despite all these measures, the popular resistance it's getting organized and thousands of Iranians are planning to demonstrate in most cities on July 8th in order to support the students and freedom lovers in their struggle for reaching Democracy and Secularity in Iran. Already sporadic and limited strikes are touching several industrial or service sectors, such as, Nursing or Education.
Groups of young are preparing devices intended to retaliate to any kind of brutal attack by the regime's militiamen. Talks are made for a better coordination of the event and in order to bring the regime to split its forces by making them less effective.
The Iranian Diaspora is getting more united and organized as well, and in addition to special editions planned by most Iranian and Persian speaking satellite TV and radio networks, hundreds of Iranians are going to participate in demos which will take place in most European and N. American cities. A partial listing of these actions is available in the "Demonstrations" section of the Movement's website and will be mass email within the frame of a "SMCCDI Urgent Action Call" inviting everyone to participate in order to show solidarity with the Iranian people and rejection of the Islamic regime.
Posters, graphics, poems, songs and statements of solidarity are made or written by Iranians and their foreign supporters at the occasion of the anniversary.
http://www.daneshjoo.org/generalnews/article/publish/article_6879.shtml
Take a look at #22!
I liked the cartoon u posted, Smartie!
Bump! Thanks for the ping F-14.
Thanks for the ping!
6/30/04 - IRAN MAY FACE SANCTIONS
The following is an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:
The International Atomic Energy Agency has passed a resolution that “deplores” Iran's failure to fully disclose its nuclear activities. The resolution calls for Iran to answer “on an urgent basis” all outstanding questions in the coming months. The discovery of a clandestine nuclear program has fueled suspicions that oil- and gas-rich Iran is covertly developing nuclear weapons under the guise of pursuing nuclear power for civilian purposes.
Iran responded to the I-A-E-A by threatening to restart its uranium enrichment program. U.S. Ambassador to the I-A-E-A Kenneth Brill says that, “If Iran were to follow up on its many repeated threats to abrogate its commitments to the Europeans to suspend its enrichment work, it would be another demonstration of their true colors, that they are determined to have an enrichment program and one that goes well beyond the needs for a power program.” That, says Ambassador Brill, “underscores their desire to pursue military purposes for their nuclear program.”
U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli says the resolution by the I-A-E-A shows that nations are reaching a consensus on the dangers posed by Iran's nuclear program:
“Let's go back two years. Two years ago, the United States was saying, 'Iran had a program. Iran was a danger.' And everybody was saying, 'Oh, come on, you guys are crazy. You guys are just beating up on Iran because you got it in for them.' Two years later, everybody is on board [saying] 'there is a program. There is a clandestine nuclear program. It is a problem and we are seized of the matter, and we are united in demanding action.'”
The I-A-E-A will take up Iran's case again in September and could send it to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the Iranians “have been put on notice. . .that the international community is expecting them to answer its questions and to respond fully. . . . We will have a chance to examine their response in September,” says Mr. Powell. “And at that time, judgments can be made as to what action might be appropriate.”
http://www.voanews.com/Editorials/article.cfm?objectID=6EB1DC7D-510C-4F92-9A769CE142A5B78F
Iranian FM Rejects Calls to Stop Nuclear Program [Excerpt]
July 01, 2004
The Associated Press
The Wall Street Journal
MEXICO CITY -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi on Wednesday rejected international pressure to halt his country's work on centrifuges for its nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters during an official visit to Mexico, he said the aims of Iran's nuclear program were peaceful and he defended his country's plans to build nuclear energy facilities.
"We have no obligation to postpone the construction of the centrifuges," Mr. Kharrazi said.
The centrifuges are used to make the enriched uranium which can be used as nuclear reactor fuel or to make bombs.
He said that Iran will keep working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency and said that "they have the assurance we are not trying (to develop) nuclear arms." The agency earlier this month approved a resolution rebuking Iran for past nuclear cover-ups. The U.S. accuses Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons.
Mr. Kharrazi met with Mexican President Vicente Fox on Wednesday to discussed building closer business ties and creating new cultural exchanges between their two countries. Both rich in oil and gas reserves, Mexico and Iran established diplomatic relations in 1964.
http://iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news.pl?l=en&y=2004&m=07&d=01&a=11
Iran Stages Annual Army Exercises Near Iraq Border [Excerpt]
July 01, 2004
Dow Jones Newswires
The Associated Press
TEHRAN -- The Iranian army began its annual military exercises Thursday near the border with Iraq, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
The three-day exercises are taking place in a 20,000 square-kilometer area of southwestern Iran , near the Iraqi city of Al-Amareh - where U.K. troops of the multinational force are stationed.
The maneuvers are in the same area where Iran 's Revolutionary Guards detained eight U.K. servicemen in three river patrol boats last month for allegedly crossing on to Iran 's side of the border's Shat Al-Arab waterway.
Some 20,000 Iranian troops as well as fighter aircraft and helicopters are taking part in the exercises, the official agency quoted military spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad-Ali Armanfar, as saying.
http://iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news.pl?l=en&y=2004&m=07&d=01&a=12
What's Iran Up To? [Excerpt]
July 01, 2004
The Wall Street Journal
Review & Outlook
That's what U.S. authorities wondered as they expelled two security guards at the Iranian mission to the United Nations last weekend, after the mission was warned repeatedly against permitting its employees to videotape the Statue of Liberty, the subway, bridges and other New York landmarks.
For a dismaying answer, consider the statement made two weeks ago in Tehran by one Hassan Abassi, head of the Revolutionary Guards' Center for Doctrinaire Affairs of National Security Outside Iran's Borders. (Quite the job description.) "We will map 29 sensitive sites in the United States and give the information to all international terror organizations," the New York Sun quotes Mr. Abassi as saying.
In a June 17 report, Memri -- the Middle East Media Research Institute -- reports a nearly identical statement by Mr. Abassi about compiling a target list of "29 sensitive sites." And also: "We have a strategy drawn up for the destruction of Anglo-Saxon civilization."
http://iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news.pl?l=en&y=2004&m=07&d=01&a=13
Iran Nuclear Spill Cover-up Feared (N. Korean uranium 'spill' at Tehran's new airport in 2002)
By Con Coughlin
London
June 28, 2004
Western intelligence officials believe Iran's Revolutionary Guards tried to cover up a nuclear accident triggered when weapons-grade uranium was being shipped from North Korea.
The accident allegedly caused Tehran's new international airport to be sealed off by Revolutionary Guard commanders within hours of its official opening on May 9.
The first scheduled commercial landing at the airport - an Iran Air civilian flight from Dubai - was intercepted by two Iranian air force jets and diverted to Isfahan, about 300 kilometres away, even though it was low on fuel.
At the same time, trucks blocked the runway to prevent other landings.
Seven weeks later, the showpiece airport, named after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Iranian revolution, is still closed.
All commercial flights have to use the capital's ageing Mehrabad complex.
At the time of the incident, Revolutionary Guard commanders claimed that Khomeini airport had been closed because of "security problems".
But Iranian aviation officials believe that Tehran wanted to cover up evidence of the previously unreported nuclear accident in 2002, linked to Iran's secret program to build an atom bomb.
Although the airport, 75 kilometres south of Tehran, was not ready for commercial traffic until this spring, military flights have used it for at least two years.
In December 2002, according to officials with access to the airport, a North Korean cargo jet delivering nuclear technology, including some weapons-grade uranium, was being unloaded at night under military supervision.
A container slipped and cracked on the tarmac, and everyone in the area was taken away for thorough medical examinations.
Crews from the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, wearing protective suits, were brought in to clean up the spillage.
The scientists worked there for several days, staying indoors during daylight and working only in darkness.
Once the area was decontaminated, Revolutionary Guards allowed airport construction to resume, confident that they had concealed the incident from the outside world.
But things changed after inspectors working for the UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency uncovered evidence in June 2003 that Iran had secretly enriched uranium to weapons grade at the Kalaye electric centrifuge plant, on the outskirts of Tehran.
Iran had previously denied having the necessary technology.
The Kalaye revelations embarrassed Revolutionary Guards' commanders, who are responsible for protecting Iran's secret nuclear facilities.
The findings prompted the agency to intensify pressure on Tehran for a full disclosure on the extent of Iran's nuclear program, which Iranian officials continue to insist is being developed for purely peaceful purposes.
Iranian aviation officials believe that the Revolutionary Guards ordered Khomeini International Airport closed in case the agency inspectors detected deposits of enriched uranium.
The airport will remain closed until Russian nuclear experts can examine the site of the incident and make sure that no traces of the illegal shipment remain.
A senior Western intelligence official said: "We are aware of the concerns being expressed by Iranian aviation experts, and are trying to investigate them.
"The problem is that the Revolutionary Guards will not allow access to the airport to any foreign nationals, including UN inspectors."
Earlier this month the IAEA rebuked Iran over its failure to give a full account of its atomic program, as suspicions mounted that Iran was was still trying to build nuclear weapons.
Last week, American intelligence officials provided satellite evidence that they claimed showed a nuclear site at Lavizan Shiyan in Tehran.
They said it had been razed to remove evidence of research that had been done there.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/27/1088274624210.html?oneclick=true
"Revolutionary Guards will not allow access to the airport to any foreign nationals, including UN inspectors."
Will not allow....UN inspectors?? That's mighty suspicious. Maybe ElBaradei should insist?
"See 'Iraq' think 'Iran'" ping...
"This is why the Mullahs of Iran are working so hard at creating insurrections in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Is the Republican Guard still fairly strong and loyal to the Shah? If so, LET'S ROLL! We bomb the foreign mercenaries. We create semi-diversions along the Iranian and Afghani borders [but we can take advantage of opportunities as well, similar to the 'probing with bayonettes' strategy.] We hyjack their highest rated media with overwhelming blowtorch signals [pirating their media through jerry-rigged TV and radio stations]. The marines can be sailed up and down the Iranian coast, perhaps landing at some soft spot and then going back on board the ship again. Coordinate our recon with the Republican Guard. And we offer tactical air support for the Republican Guard with apaches as well as planes. Prettymuch the same plan as last year.
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