Posted on 04/28/2005 5:59:55 AM PDT by DoctorZIn
Top News Story
US Department of State: Country Reports on Terrorism 2004 - Iran
IranIran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2004. Its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Ministry of Intelligence and Security were involved in the planning and support of terrorist acts and continued to exhort a variety of groups to use terrorism in pursuit of their goals.
Iran continued to be unwilling to bring to justice senior al-Qa'ida members it detained in 2003. Iran has refused to identify publicly these senior members in its custody on "security grounds." Iran has also resisted numerous calls to transfer custody of its al-Qa'ida detainees to their countries of origin or third countries for interrogation and/or trial. Iranian judiciary officials claimed to have tried and convicted some Iranian supporters of al-Qa'ida during 2004, but refused to provide details. Iran also continued to fail to control the activities of some al-Qa'ida members who fled to Iran following the fall of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
During 2004, Iran maintained a high-profile role in encouraging anti-Israeli terrorist activity, both rhetorically and operationally. Supreme Leader Khamenei praised Palestinian terrorist operations, and Iran provided Lebanese Hizballah and Palestinian terrorist groups -- notably HAMAS, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command -- with funding, safe haven, training, and weapons. Iran provided an unmanned aerial vehicle that Lebanese Hizballah sent into Israeli airspace on November 7, 2004.
Iran pursued a variety of policies in Iraq during 2004, some of which appeared to be inconsistent with Iran's stated objectives regarding stability in Iraq as well as those of the Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) and the Coalition.
Senior IIG officials have publicly expressed concern over Iranian interference in Iraq, and there were reports that Iran provided funding, safe transit, and arms to insurgent elements, including Muqtada al-Sadr's forces.
- Adnkronos International reports that the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that "human rights, are a weapon in the hands of our enemies to fight Islam."
- UPI reports that Britain will not support the United States in military action against Iran.
- Lebanon's Daily star thinks that Syria will be on its own in the event of a U.S. or Israeli confrontation.
- The VOA News reports that the IAEA held a special closed-door session to decide whether to give its current chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, another term as director general. But the atomic agency decided not to decide.
- The Christian Science Monitor thinks we need a stricter NTP treaty.
- Chinaview.cn reports that Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) will reopen on April 30.
- VOA News reports that delegates from more than 180 countries will take part in the Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference, May 2-27.
- Adnkronos International reports that European diplomats have reacted enthusiastically to Iran's former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's decision to run for Iran's Presidency.
- Agence France Presse provides a glimpse into the mind of an Iranian hardliner.
- Expatica reports that the EU3 are to ask Iran to postpone the resumption of nuclear talks until after presidential elections, 17 June - then it was officially denied.
- Iran Mania reports that police in the Iranian capital are poised to launch a fresh crack down targeting "models of corruption" (women not politicians).
- Dr. Jerome Corsi says John Bolton is a 'must have' candidate.
- And finally, Reuters reports a EU3 diplomat saying "We are on the defensive now," in our negotiations with Iran.
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"European diplomats have reacted enthusiastically to Iran's former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's decision to stand as a candidate in the country's presidential elections"
Oh Good Grief!
Someone please....(AEI are you listening?)...tell everyone who and what Rafsanjani is!
Bunker Busting Bomb on the Way to Israel
16:04 Apr 28, '05 / 19 Nisan 5765
(IsraelNN.com) The Pentagon has indicate America will be selling one hundred GBU-28 "bunker busting" bombs to Israel after Israel has requested the state-of-the-art warfare for a number of years.
The bunker busters are encased in a hardened steel jacket and penetrate a bunker eight meters underground before releasing the powerful 400 kilogram warhead. The bombs are carried by F-15s, and Israel's fleet is capable of delivering the payload to a distant target, including Iran.
Some analysts see the move as more than coincidental, signaling joint Israel-US cooperation for a planned strike against Iran's nuclear facility.
Upon his recent return from a meeting in America with US President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denied a strike against Iran is on Israel's agenda, adding that while Jerusalem continues monitoring Iranian radiation enrichment efforts, Israel is not responsible to lead the anti-Iran momentum, preferring to rely on the United States and European communities to take the lead.
Russia up to its usual tricks here.
But it's not as sneaky as using "human rights" as a "weapon" against Khamenei--that's just so wrong on so many levels.
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