{"id":420,"date":"2007-10-19T22:32:28","date_gmt":"2007-10-19T22:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/?p=420"},"modified":"2007-10-19T22:41:57","modified_gmt":"2007-10-19T22:41:57","slug":"news-round-up-oct-19-2007","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joshualandis.com\/blog\/news-round-up-oct-19-2007\/","title":{"rendered":"News Round Up (Oct. 19 2007)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Nuclear Plant in Syria<\/strong><\/div>\n
Israeli air strike did not hit nuclear facility, intelligence officials say<\/a>, Raw story<\/div>\n
\n
Cheney hand seen behind leaks of 'misleading' stories.<\/div>\n
According to current and former intelligence sources, the US intelligence community has seen no evidence of a nuclear facility being hit. <\/p>\n

US intelligence “found no radiation signatures after the bombing, so there was no uranium or plutonium present,” said one official, wishing to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the subject.<\/p>\n

“We don't have any independent intelligence that it was a nuclear facility — only the assertions by the Israelis and some ambiguous satellite photography from them that shows a building, which the Syrians admitted was a military facility.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Oct. 19 (Bloomberg) — United Nations nuclear experts are examining satellite imagery of a Syrian site that may have been bombed by Israel last month because it was a possible nuclear facility, according to a diplomat familiar with the investigation. <\/p>\n

France<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\n
Ibrahim Al-Humaydi of Al Hayat, wrote on October 19 Click here for source<\/a> (Thanks to mideastwire.com for translation)<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
The Syrian foreign minister Walid Al-Muallem revealed to Al Hayat that he agreed with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner on the margins of the meeting for the foreign ministers of the “countries neighbouring Iraq” to be held in Istanbul on the 2nd and 3rd of next November and that the success of this meeting might mean that the next step would be Kouchner visiting Damascus. He accused the Lebanese prime minister Fu’ad Al-Sanyurah of “cooperating” with his “partner”, the United Nations envoy to supervise the implementation of UNSCR 1559, Terry Rod Larsen, to “incite” against Syria and to “target the resistance” to serve “the American-Israeli plans” in a signal to Al-Sanyurah’s message to the Security Council and Arab League in which he accused Syria of supporting Fatah Al-Islam.<\/p>\n

“Kouchner had talked to Al-Muallem on the phone while he was accompanying president Bashar Al-Assad on his visit to Turkey. The phone call lasted for 15 minutes and it was the first between the foreign ministers of the two countries since the assassination of the ex Lebanese prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri in 2005. This phone call came before Kouchner’s scheduled visit to Beirut along with his Italian and Spanish counterparts Massimo D’Alema and Miguel Angel Moratinos. Al-Muallem announced to Al Hayat that Kouchner informed him of the agenda of his upcoming visit to Lebanon and that the ministers “will meet with their troops working in Lebanon and the representatives of all the Lebanese movements to urge them to elect a compromise president that would help save Lebanon from more divisions”<\/p>\n

“Al-Muallem added that the French foreign minister “confirmed the importance of cementing the Syrian-French relations and developing them and the importance of resuming the dialogue between the two countries about all the issues in the region and I welcomed this and confirmed to him that Syria is prepared and willing to resume the dialogue and develop bilateral relations with France”…” – Al Hayat, United Kingdom<\/p><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Syrians Disassembling Ruins at Site Bombed by Israel, Officials Say<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n
Syria has begun dismantling the remains of a site Israel bombed Sept. 6 in what may be an attempt to prevent the location from coming under international scrutiny, said U.S. and foreign officials familiar with the aftermath of the attack. (By Robin Wright and Joby Warrick, The Washington Post) <\/p>\n

some weapons experts question why neither Israel nor the United States made any effort before the secret attack — or in the six weeks since — to offer evidence to the International Atomic Energy Agency, a move that would trigger an inspection of Syria by the nuclear watchdog. <\/p>\n

"The reason we have an IAEA and a safeguard system is that, if there is evidence of wrongdoing, it can be presented by a neutral body to the international community so that a collective response can be pursued," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. "It seems to me highly risky and premature for another country to bomb such a facility." <\/p>\n

But John R. Bolton, the Bush administration's former ambassador to the United Nations, said Syria's secrecy — including its apparent move to clean up the site after the bombing — suggests that Damascus is pursuing a strategy similar to that of Iran, which the Bush administration believes is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Turkey<\/strong>:<\/div>\n
Ehsani writes:<\/div>\n
\n
Since my father currently lives in Turkey, I thought that it would make sense to hear his views about this visit. Set below is his impression:<\/p>\n

The real star of this trip is Asma. She is an iconic figure in Turkey.<\/p>\n

Every TV channel and newspaper article is memorized by her every move. To a certain extent, she has overshadowed her husband. Her looks, demeanor and attitude were enough to have her being described by the Turkish President as a “virtuous” lady in the official welcoming speech.<\/p>\n

There is no question that the Kurdish issue has had a strong influence over this new rapprochement between the two countries. However, this is not the only common issue. This relationship has been on the mend for a number of years now. The free trade agreement is yet to be fully implemented but the framework is there. There is no doubt that more business will take place between the two countries in the near future. This is good for both countries but especially for Syria. Turkey offers an enormous potential for Syrian exports especially out of industries that require cheap labor. Syria will exploit this potential without a doubt once the geopolitical background allows for more investments to pour in. The quicker Syria can ditch socialism and red tape, the quicker the country can benefit from this relationship.<\/p>\n

As a Turkish speaker and a person who has frequented that country for years, I am ecstatic that this relationship is on the ascendancy. It is a win-win for both countries. Asma is revered in Turkey. The Syrian first couple has developed a massive following by everyone there. Let us hope that this love affair will translate into more economic growth opportunities for our people.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Our fraying alliance with Turkey<\/a>, LA TImes<\/div>\n
\n
Ankara's animosity toward the U.S. has its roots in much more than a genocide bill.<\/div>\n
By Graham E. Fuller
October 19, 2007 <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
Turkish-American relations are in crisis. But the House resolution declaring the World War I-era killings of Armenians a genocide is only one cause — and that's just a sideshow. Turkish-American relations have been deteriorating for years, and the root explanation is simple and harsh: Washington's policies are broadly and fundamentally incompatible with Turkish foreign policy interests in multiple arenas. No amount of diplomat-speak can conceal or change that reality. Count the ways: <\/p>\n

* Kurds<\/em>. U.S. policies toward Iraq over the last 16 years have been a disaster for Turkey. Since the 1991 Gulf War, the Iraqi Kurds have gained ever-greater autonomy and are now on the brink of de facto independence. Such a Kurdish entity in Iraq stimulates Kurdish separatism inside Turkey. Furthermore, Washington supports Kurdish terrorists against Iran. <\/p>\n

* Terrorism<\/em>: Turkey has fought domestic political violence and terrorism for more than 30 years — Marxist, socialist, right-wing nationalist, Kurdish, Islamist. U.S. policies in the Middle East have greatly stimulated violence and radicalism across the region and brought Al Qaeda to Turkey's doorstep. <\/p>\n

* Iran<\/em>: Iran is Turkey's most powerful neighbor and a vital source of oil and gas — second only to Russia — in meeting Turkey's energy needs. Washington heavy-handedly pressures Turkey to end its extensive and deepening relations with Iran in order to press a U.S. sanctions regime there. Though there is little affection between Turkey and Iran, there has been virtually no serious armed conflict between the two nations for centuries. Ankara sees U.S. policies as radicalizing and isolating Tehran further, which is undesirable for Turkey. <\/p>\n

* Syria<\/em>: Ankara's relations with Syria have done a 180-degree turn in the last decade, and relations are flourishing. Syrians — as well as many other Arabs — are impressed with Turkey's ability to simultaneously be a member of NATO, seek entry into the European Union, say no to Washington on using Turkish soil to invade Iraq, restore respect for its own Islamic heritage, develop new relations with the Arab world and adopt a genuinely balanced position on the Palestinian conflict. Ankara resists Washington's pressures to marginalize and stifle Damascus. <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Correction<\/strong>:<\/div>\n
\n
The first presidential visit to Turkish President GUL was paid by  Kazakhistan President Nursultan NAZABGAYEV on October 1.  (http:\/\/www.zaman.com.tr\/webapp-tr\/haber.do?haberno=595260<\/a>), not Bashar al-Assad.<\/div>\n
Best regards, Kaan Kutlu ATAC, HAcettepe Univ.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lebanon<\/strong><\/div>\n

Under the blueprint of the alleged treaty<\/a>, the United States will provide the Lebanese army with assistance and training and intelligence while Beirut would allow the establishment bases, radar stations and other facilities.<\/p>\n

\n

The report added that the Americans wanted the Lebanese army's current doctrine, which describes Syria as a friendly state, Israel an enemy and Hezbollah as the "resistance" to the Israeli occupation, changed.<\/p>\n

In his interview, however, Edelman maintained the United States was not putting conditions on Lebanon for assistance, saying it was up to the Lebanese to decide what strategy and military doctrine to adopt.<\/p>\n

But in a remark that is certain to anger the opposition, particularly Hezbollah which Washington brands as a terrorist organization, Edelman added: "I don't see any reason why Israel and Lebanon have to be enemies. Israel has peace treaties with two of its neighbors. I think in time there is no reason why there shouldn't be one between Lebanon and Israel as well." [AP]<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Syria says U.S. interference in Lebanon threatens country’s stability<\/a>, AP<\/p>\n

Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

A majority of Israeli lawmakers<\/a> have signed a petition against any attempt by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to transfer parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinians, <\/p>\n

Daniel Levy has written two excellent op-eds on Israel and Iran which appeared in Haaretz and the IHTribune. They can be read on his blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nuclear Plant in Syria Israeli air strike did not hit nuclear facility, intelligence officials say, Raw story Cheney hand seen behind leaks of 'misleading' stories. According to current and former intelligence sources, the US intelligence community has seen no evidence of a nuclear facility being hit. 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