KHAR: Four Levies personnel were killed in a militants attack on Levies check post in Bajaur Agency.According to sources, militants attacked Levies check post last night in Khar killing four Levies officials. The attackers managed to flee after retaliatory fire by the forces. Levies sources said funeral prayers of those killed in the attack will be offer in Levies Line Khar at 10 am.
Daily Archives: July 10, 2009
Israel Assessment: Iran Could, But Won't Make Nuclear Bomb Within a Year
Both the US and Israel believe Iran has the technical capacity to build one nuclear bomb within a year if it decides to do so, but both countries also believe the chances that Teheran will indeed make that decision are slim, according to assessments made known to The Jerusalem Post.
The assessments come in the wake of comments made Sunday by US Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to the effect that Iran could be as little as a year away from completing a nuclear bomb, while Mossad head Meir Dagan recently surprised many by saying Iran won’t have a nuclear weapon until 2014.
“I would be careful about all the declarations on this matter,” one senior government official who deals with the issue told the Post, adding that a decision by Teheran to go full throttle toward the building of a bomb was dependent on numerous different decisions the government would have to make, and which it had simply not yet made.
G-8 leaders gave Iran until late September to accept negotiations over its nuclear program.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the situation would be reviewed at a G-20 meeting of developed and developing countries in Pittsburgh on September 24, and that “if there is no progress by then, we will have to take decisions.”
A unilateral attack by Israel on Iran to thwart the Islamic republic’s nuclear ambitions would be an “absolute catastrophe,” Sarkozy said on Thursday after the G-8 summit in Italy.
From an Israeli perspective, the senior government official explained, the G-8 deadline included both positive and negative aspects.
On the positive side, there has been a degree of concern in Jerusalem since the events that followed the June elections in Iran that the international community would try to push back the timetable on the nuclear issue until the dust cleared in Teheran.
The G-8 statement, the official said, strengthened the sense in Jerusalem that the international community was sending a message that “time is of the essence,” and that international stocktaking of Iran’s position on the issue would take place regardless of Iran’s internal situation.
On the negative side of the ledger from an Israel perspective, however, was that the G-8 deadline was also a sign the international community was sill locked into “engagement” mode.
According to the senior government official, under the current timetable Iran had until September to give a decision on engagement. If the talks began, then by the end of the year – as Obama said in May during his meeting in Washington with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu – there would be a reassessment of the situation, and a determination whether to continue dialogue or take more serious sanctions.
Regarding the contradictory messages that came out of Washington this week as to whether the US was giving Israel a green light for military action, with Vice President Joe Biden implying that a green light was being given, and Obama categorically denying that, the official said that Obama has been consistent in speaking against an Israeli military action.
What needed to be explained, the official said, were Biden’s comments.
“Biden’s comments seem to have come out of the blue,” he said. “There has been no discussion with the US over the last few months about the possibility of an attack.”
The official said it was also not clear how the recent events on the ground in Iran would impact on the nuclear issue.
CHINESE ARMED POLICE WATCH OVER A CALMER URUMQI
Security forces kept a firm grip on the tense Xinjiang capital Thursday after days of ethnic violence that killed 156 people, and alarmed Chinese leaders vowed to deal firmly with those behind the attacks. According to AP, crowds of Han Chinese cheered as trucks full of police and covered in banners reading “We must defeat the terrorists” and “Oppose ethnic separatism and hatred” rumbled by. The minority Uighurs became far more fearful about talking to reporters.
The region’s worst ethnic violence in decades has already forced President Hu Jintao to cut short a trip to Italy, where he was to participate in a Group of Eight summit and hold talks with Barack Obama.
TRUCK BOMBING KILLS 25 IN AFGHANISTAN
A deadly bomb explosion has claimed the lives of more than two dozen people, including children, on a crowded road south of the Afghan capital. According to AFP, the incident occurred on Thursday when an explosive-laden truck blew up 30 kilometers south of Kabul in Logar province, killing 25 people including many school children.
The truck, loaded with firewood, apparently overturned deliberately overnight and was detonated as authorities were trying to remove it.
Provincial police chief Ghulam Mustafa Mohsini said “In the explosion today 21 civilians and four policemen have been martyred,” adding that four others including three students and a civilian were wounded.
SOUTH KOREA ON HIGH ALERT FOR MORE CYBER ATTACKS
South Korea was on high alert Thursday for more cyber attacks amid suspicions that North Korea was behind a recent wave of Web site outages in the South and in the United States. The South Korea warned that computer networks of key infrastructure could be targeted. According to AP, the National Intelligence Service said in a statement that it was strengthening cyber security measures for government computer networks, citing a possible new wave of attacks which could target national infrastructure operators like energy, telecommunications and media companies.
Earlier Thursday, the country’s leading computer security company also warned that another wave of attacks was expected in South Korea later in the day.
BOMBINGS IN MOSUL, BAGHDAD KILL AT LEAST 41
A suicide bomber on Thursday killed at least 34 people and injured 70 near a judge’s house in northern Iraq, and two roadside bombs in Baghdad killed seven people. According to AP, the attacks came one day after car bombs in two Shiite villages near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul killed 16 civilians and injured more than two dozen.
A police officer and an official in the provincial command center said: The suicide attack in the northern town of Tal Afar happened at around 6:30 a.m. local time.
In Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded near a market at around 7:30 a.m. in the district of Sadr City, and another bomb exploded one minute later and about 100 meters away, killing six and injuring 25.
GEN. JAAFARI: IRAN READY TO GUARANTEE REGIONAL SECURITY
Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), General Mohammad-Ali Jaafari, said in Tehran on Wednesday evening that Iran is ready to cooperate with regional states to guarantee security of the region. According to IRIB, in a meeting with visiting Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, Hamad Bin Ali El Atiya, on Wednesday, General Jaafari said defense cooperation between Iran and Qatar is important for security of the region.
He lauded Qatar’s wise stances on variety of international issues, including those related to Iran, Lebanon and Palestine, and said Persian Gulf is Iran-Qatar common border.
He said strategic location of the Persian Gulf necessitates cooperation between the two countries.
Highlighting the crucial role of the IRGC in guaranteeing security of the Persian Gulf region, Jaafari hoped for stronger cooperation between Iran and Qatar to guarantee security of the region.
For his part, Atiya said his country is ready for broadened ties, especially in the educational sector, and for sharing experience in defense domain with Iran
KIDNAPPED IRANIAN DIPLOMATS IN IRAQ FREED
The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi Qomi has reported on the release of the Iranian diplomats, abducted in Arbil, Iraq. In an interview with Fars news agency, the Iranian ambassador noted the five abducted Iranian diplomats have been handed over to Iraqi government by the US occupation forces. He added following the meeting of the Iranian diplomats with the Iraqi premier, they will be handed over to the Iranian Embassy in Iraq.
The US occupation forces attacked Iran’s Consulate in Arbil, Iraq, on January 11, 2007, abducting five Iranian diplomats
FM SPOKESMAN DENOUNCES TERRORIST ACTION IN A GERMAN COURT
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi denounced the terrorist action of the German racist elements in martyring an Egyptian Muslim woman inside a German courtroom. According to IRIB World Service, Marwa el-Sheribini, the 33-year old Egyptian woman last Wednesday was martyred by a German racist in a court in Dresden, Germany due to her commitment to Islamic Hijab.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Thursday described about the clear violation of human values and principles in the countries claiming human rights, saying that the foully killing of the Egyptian woman in front of the eyes of police in the safe place of the court represents the extent of insecurity and the expansion of the increasing resentment atmosphere toward the immigrants and religious minorities in Germany.
The Iranian diplomat stressed that in European cities, the people of the world are facing with horrible sufferings such as clear disrespect, terrorism, violating the values and traditions of other religions and cultures and as a result with the increasing wave of Islamophobia and xenophobia all of which are the result of the kind of attitude and dual goals along with political enmities.
Condoling and sympathizing with the victim’s family, and the Egyptian people and government, Qashqavi called on the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and other international agencies to form a committee to review such anti-human actions and create serious methods for countering the growing trend of these actions.
Security forces recover body of terrorist commander Umar Zada
ISLAMABAD, Jul 9 (APP): The security forces have recovered the body of most wanted terrorist commander of Sakhra Valley, Umar Zada, who was killed in operation on Wednesday. According to an update issued by ISPR here Thursday, security forces conducted search and clearance operation in Tiligram valley and destroyed one explosives laboratory, while one soldier was injured. During the search operation 13 suspected terrorists were apprehended and few others were killed.
The security forces conducted search and clearance operation in Kalagai near Matta and defused 7 IEDs, destroyed 7 hide outs and one terrorist training center including tunnels and bunkers.
During the search and clearance operations at Batkhela area near Malakand security forces apprehended 12 suspected terrorists.
An IED blasted near road clearance party moving from Jani Khel to Sarabangla in Bannu, resultantly six soldiers were injured.
So far, 1150 tons rations and other items were distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand as part of relief activities, while 12,275 cash cards were distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand.
Special permits are being issued to fruit dealers of Swat to carry fruit trucks to Peshawar from July 10 to July 12.
Military operation’s targets achieved; IDPs’ return to start from July 13: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jul 9 (APP): Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the government had achieved the targets of military operation in Malakand division and the return of displaced people to their homes would start from July 13. “We have achieved the targets,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a press conference at PM House, however made it clear that the army would remain present in the area even after culmination of the operation.
The Prime Minister said the government was confident to win the fight against militants as it enjoyed full public support over the issue.
When asked whether the military operation would continue as the top leadership of the militants was still at large, the Prime Minister said the operation was the prerogative of the provincial government and they could call in the army wherever and whenever required.
He asked the provincial government to remain firm against the militants and assured federal government’s complete support in this regard.
Gilani also appealed the nation to recognize blacksheep among them and expel them from their ranks.
On IDPs’ return, Gilani said the Special Support Group would chalk out a plan for their safe return to their homes from July 13.
He said by the time the displaced people return to their homes, the issue of security would be completely resolved, adding that the infrastructure of electricity, gas, banks had already been restored.
Gilani also mentioned setting up an institution headed by the prime minister and with others including chief ministers, Inspector General Police, and representatives of provincial and federal governments, which would give an assessment report about the losses incurred in the wake of military operation.
He said the SSG was independent in giving proposals for providing relief to the host families who accommodated the IDPs in their homes.
The Prime Minister said the government’s efforts against terrorism and extremism had resumed the international community’s trust in the country, however stressed that military option was not the solution to restore peace in the tribal areas.
He mentioned the government’s 3 R – Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction policy for the uplift of displaced people and to mitigate their sufferings with sincerity.
He said the militant presented a distorted version of Islam and asked the media to continue working positively and try not to portray the militants as heroes.
He said the military action had full public support, as no one shed tears on the killing of terrorists but for the sacrifices of soldiers who laid their lives for the country.
Gilani said the government would follow the home-grown policy as it was fighting its own war and termed the drone attacks as counter-productive.
“We don’t need to convince them, but if they really want to help us, they should stop the drone attacks.”
About the Ordinance on Petroleum Development Levy, Prime Minister Gilani said it was issued by the President on his (prime minister’s) advice.
He said the government had full respect for the verdict of Supreme Court on staying Carbon Tax, and it always held judiciary in high esteem.
Gilani said being parliamentarian for six times, he fully realized the importance of public vote, however sometimes unpopular decisions were necessary to be taken in national interest.
“The intention [of the Ordinance] is to provide the relief for the future of countrymen,” he said.
Gilani said the government would seek time from the court for its team of financial experts to return from abroad and submit details about the reasons for the act.
“Whatever the court would decide, we would respect it,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the government had allocated Rs 50 billion for the uplift of displaced people of Malakand division.
Gilani said his resolve was to protect the institution rather than strengthening his own office.
The Prime Minister recalled that the government earlier introduced Nizam-e- Adl ordinance in Swat in accordance with the aspirations of local people, after it was approved by the President.
However, he said when the writ of the government was challenged and with growing reports of the incidents of killings of innocent people and desecration of sacred places, the government decided to undergo military action.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of the armymen who laid their lives for the security of country and said a monument would be built to commemorate their great services.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the sacrifices of Internally Displaced Persons who left their homes for the betterment of country’s future.
He appreciated the provincial government, NADRA and Special Support Group for amicably dealing with the issue of displaced persons and providing them every possible facility.
Gilani said Opposition’s positive approach developed a sense of realization among the masses, adding that media also played an important role in highlighting the issue.
Iranian diplomats held by U.S. to be released in hours
| TEHRAN, July 9 (MNA) – Five Iranian diplomats held by U.S. forces are now in Iraqi government custody and will be handed over to the Iranian embassy in Baghdad later today. | |
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“The diplomats are now in Iraq custody and will be handed over to the Iranian embassy in Baghdad,” the Iranian embassy press attaché, Amir Arshadi, told the Mehr News Agency.
U.S. troops stormed the Iranian consulate in northern Kurdish city of Arbil on January 11, 2007 and arrested five diplomats under the pretext that they were fomenting violence in Iraq.
The Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee spokesman, Kazem Jalali, told the MNA on Monday that the diplomats will be released soon as Washington is handing over about 20,000 Iraqi and non-Iraqi prisoners to Baghdad based on a security pact signed between the two countries last year. |
United Iraqi Alliance, discusses the mechanics of activation and the formation of new coalition
The head of the representative of the United Iraqi Alliance leader Sheikh Hamam Hamoudi in Baghdad, a meeting of the members of the coalition, was at the meeting which was attended by First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Sheikh Khaled al-Attiya and Mr. Mohammed al-Naqib and the House of Representatives, and Abdul-Karim Al-Ghazali, Haidar Al Hadi al-Hassani, in addition to the Minister of Education Khudair Khuzaie, the meeting was to discuss mechanisms to activate the formation of the new coalition and a push by some political forces that have indicated a willingness to join him as the consultation was also in the latest political developments and security in the country.
JNN News 
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