China Confidential
Friday, January 16, 2009
Israel Destroyed Hamas 'Iran Unit'
Palestinian sources reported Thursday that the "Iranian Unit" of Hamas, members of the group's military wing trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, had been destroyed.
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According to the sources, most of the unit's members were killed in fighting in the Zeytun neighborhood, where they had been deployed by the military leadership of Hamas.
The unit numbered approximately 100 men who had traveled to Iran and Hezbollah camps, mostly in the Beka'a Valley, where they were trained in infantry fighting tactics. The militants were also trained in the use of anti-tank missiles, the detonation of explosives, among other skills.
They managed to return to the Gaza Strip through tunnels in the Rafah border area, although a few also crossed during one of the few times that Egypt agreed to open the border crossing as a gesture of good will to Hamas.
The same sources also noted that Iran is preparing for an end to the fighting, at which point they want to send money to the Gaza Strip in order to assist Hamas in rebuilding destroyed homes - but also restore its military capabilities.Violent Protests Sweeping Eastern Europe
Foreign Confidential....Violent political protests sweeping parts of Eastern Europe spread Friday to Lithuania, where police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a rock-throwing mob attacking Parliament.
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Fifteen people were injured and more than 80 detained in several hours of street fighting between angry protesters and helmeted riot police.
The violence followed similar riots this week in Bulgaria and Latvia amid a wave of discontent over economic woes, difficult reforms and government corruption. In all three countries, peaceful anti-government rallies ended in vandalism and brawls with police.BOA CEO's Chutzpah Knows No Bounds
Dateline USA....chutz⋅pa [khoot-spuh, hoot-] –noun Slang.
1. unmitigated effrontery or impudence; gall.
2. audacity; nerve.
Also, chutzpah, hutzpa, hutzpah.
Origin: 1890–95; Yiddish khutspa
Bank of America, which bragged about its supposedly conservative approach to business amid the onset of the global economic meltdown, has glommed another $20 billion in U.S. government capital--taxpayers' money--to complete its acquisition of toxic Merrill Lynch, which BOA long coveted.
In addition to the fresh capital injection, BOA will get a $118 billion asset guarantee to help it absorb broker Merrill, the U.S Treasury Department announced.
Billions Here, Billions There
BOA has already received $25 billion from the Treasury Department's $700 billion U.S. financial bailout fund. That included a $10 billion grant to purchase Merrill, which BOA agreed to buy in a deal that closed on January 1.
In related news, Dow Jones reported Friday that BOA CEO Ken Lewis" darkened his outlook for the U.S. economy ... as his Charlotte, N.C., bank reported a fourth-quarter loss of nearly $2 billion."
The news service said Lewis told investors during a conference call to discuss the results that he expected the U.S. economy to show "some potential signs of stabilization during the second half of" 2009. Those comments amount to a shift in economic forecasting for Lewis, who had long maintained, until Friday, that the economy would start to recover around the middle of 2009.Exiled Hamas Leader Vows to Keep Fighting
Foreign Confidential....
Jimmy Carter's favorite exiled terrorist, Khaled Meshaal, says he is ready to fight to the last Palestinian.
The Hamas leader, with whom the former U.S. President last year met in Damascus on two separate visits to the Syrian capital, today vowed that there would be no truce in Gaza until Israel ended its invasion of the Palestinian enclave.
His comments came amid reports that diplomats were moving closer to a ceasefire deal.
Split Today, Civil War Tomorrow?
Meshaal appeared to contradict earlier indications that Hamas was prepared to end of 21 days of fighting.
China Confidential analysts assert that a split has developed between Hamas leaders and fighters on the ground, who are increasingly isolated and hunted, and the exiled leadership that lives in relative safety and luxury in Syria, a secular Arab state allied with Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
As for Carter, the Democrat appears to be increasingly demented. His January 8 op-ed essay in The Washington Post reads like a Hamas press release, as noted here.
Democratic Party Sources day Carter is considering calling for a worldwide boycott of Israel and threatening to organize and lead a legion of human shields to stop the fighting.Iran Prez to Muslim Nations: Cut Ties with US, Israel
Foreign Confidential....
Muslim states should cut all ties with Israel and the United States to help bring about an end to the Israeli offensive against Gaza, Iran's president said in an interview on Al Jazeera television on Friday.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is attending an emergency meeting of Arab and Muslim leaders in Qatar, said Israel's three-week-old offensive proved that the Jewish state was in its last throes.
Muslim nations "need to cut relations with Israel and America. Just ties. They don't need to do anything more than that," Ahmadinejad said, according to an Arabic translation of his comments.
The Syrian president and the leader of Hamas also called on Arab states on Friday to cut all ties with Israel.
Muslim and Arab officials meeting in Doha are discussing the suspension of ties with Israel and the possibility of withdrawing an Arab peace initiative with Israel. Qatar had hoped for a full-blown Arab Summit on Gaza but faced resistance from regional heavyweights Egypt and Saudi Arabia and fell short of the quorum necessary to make formal resolutions. Any withdrawal of the Arab peace initiative would require a summit.
Arab foreign ministers are also meeting in Kuwait on Friday to discuss the offensive on Gaza.
-ReutersNuclear Intrigue: Iran and China
Glenn R. Simpson and Jay Solomon report:U.S. security and law-enforcement officials say they have fresh evidence of recent efforts by Iran to evade sanctions and acquire metals from China used in high-tech weaponry, including long-range nuclear missiles.
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Iran's efforts are detailed in a series of recent emails and letters between Iranian companies and foreign suppliers seen by The Wall Street Journal. Business records show one Iranian company, ABAN Commercial & Industrial Ltd., has contracted through an intermediary for more than 30,000 kilograms (about 66,000 pounds) of tungsten copper -- which can be used in missile guidance systems -- from Advanced Technology & Materials Co. Ltd. of Beijing. One March 2008 email between the firms mentions shipping 215 ingots, with more planned.
The United Arab Emirates has informed the U.S. that in September it intercepted a Chinese shipment headed to Iran of specialized aluminum sheets that can be used to make ballistic missiles. A month earlier, UAE officials also intercepted an Iran-bound shipment of titanium sheets that can be used in long-range missiles, according to a recent letter to the U.S. Commerce Department from the UAE's Washington ambassador.IEA Cuts Forecast for World Oil Demand
Oil demand will fall for a second year, the first back-to-back contractions since 1983, as a deepening recession erodes consumer spending, the International Energy Agency said.
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The adviser to 28 nations cut its global 2009 forecast by 1 million barrels a day on expectations the economic outlook will deteriorate. The IEA estimates consumption will shrink 0.6 percent to 85.3 million barrels a day. Forecasters including OPEC, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Deutsche Bank AG have already said demand will fall this year.Thursday, January 15, 2009
Blair: Gaza Truce Proposal 'Credible'
Foreign Confidential....
Middle East envoy Tony Blair said on Thursday a truce proposal being studied by Israel was "credible" and could lead to an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Diplomatic sources said earlier that Israeli leaders were studying Hamas's terms for a truce.
Israel said later that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni would travel to Washington to finalize an accord designed to prevent Hamas from rearming, a key Israeli condition for a ceasefire.
"Over the last few days the details have been discussed and worked on and I think actually there is plainly now a credible plan to stop if people want to stop," Blair told reporters after meeting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
"There is no doubt at all now that there are not just the elements but the details of a plan that can bring an immediate ceasefire," he said,
The former British prime minister, who is the envoy for the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators -- the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States -- said he hoped there would be a ceasefire deal soon.
The sources said the terms included a year-long, renewable ceasefire, the withdrawal of all Israel forces within 5 to 7 days, and the immediate opening of all Gaza border crossings, backed by international guarantees they would stay open.
- ReutersMexico Could Collapse
Mexico is locked in a life or death struggle with drug cartels. Oil revenue is bankrolling the conflict. If the country loses its oil revenue, it will probably collapse.
Mexico eeds $70-per-barrel oil prices to balance its budget.Another French Synagogue Firebombed
Foreign Confidential....
Unknown people hurled petrol bombs at a synagogue in a Paris suburb Thursday in the latest outbreak of anti-Semitic violence in France since the start of Israel's Gaza offensive, firefighters and police said.
The main entrance door to the synagogue at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, southeast of Paris, was damaged by fire and a police source said it remained unclear whether one or several petrol bombs were thrown.
France has recorded around 60 anti-Semitic incidents since Israel launched its Gaza offensive last month, drawing appeals for calm from politicians and religious leaders.
Three other synagogues have been fire-bombed in the past two weeks and vandals have daubed anti-Israeli graffiti on at least two other Jewish places of worship.
CRIF, the umbrella representative body of Jewish organizations in France, denounced this “new unacceptable act of violence” and called again on the authorities to take their responsibilities “to measure the seriousness of the situation and contain this unbearable rise of anti-Semitic acts in France.”
President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday vowed "zero tolerance" for hate violence and warned "there is no place in the republic for anti-Semites or Islamophobes."
He has promised severe punishment for "those who want to import to France" the Arab-Israeli conflict in Gaza.Bolivia, Venezuela Cut Ties with Israel
Foreign Confidential....
Bolivia and Venezuela cut diplomatic ties with Israel over Israel's operation in Gaza.
Bolivian President Evo Morales said he also would ask that the World Criminal Court charge Israeli leaders with genocide, according to media reports.
"The Israeli government's crimes affect global stability and peace, and have returned the world to the worst stage of crimes against humanity that we hadn't seen except in World War II and in the last years in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda," Morales said.
The Israeli government said Wednesday that it had not yet been notified by the Bolivian government of its decision to end diplomatic relations.
Venezuela officially broke off diplomatic relations several hours after the Bolivian announcement. The official announcement follows the Jan. 6 expulsion of Israel's ambassador to Caracas and seven embassy staff members by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close ally of Morales.
A statement released Wednesday by the Venezuelan Foreign MInistery said the country "has decided to break off diplomatic relations with the state of Israel given the inhumane persecution of the Palestinian people," according to reports.
B'nai B'rith International called Bolivia's decision a "troubling development in the region," noting that "Bolivia has enjoyed excellent relations with Israel for many years" and that the two countries have several cooperative programs.
"It is noteworthy that this announcement was made a day after Morales met with an Iranian delegation headed by Iranian Minister of Cooperation Mohammad Abbasi," B'nai B'rith said in a statement. "Iran has been trying to expand its influence in Latin America for years, and this episode only underscores Morales’ willingness to cooperate with the Iranian government that sponsors terror worldwide and has one of the worst human rights records in the world."
- JTAIsrael and Hamas Agree on Ceasefire
Ynet is reporting that Israel and Hamas "have agreed on all the general outlines of the Egyptian ceasefire initiative to end the fighting in Gaza."
Citing Palestinian sources, Ynet says fighting is to end within 72 hours and last up to two weeks. During the truce both sides will discuss withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, an end to the blockade and supervision of crossings.BOA Bailout Near
While real American heroes save lives--scroll down for the miraculous airline landing and rescue story--astonishingly arrogant Bank of America is sucking more billions of taxpayer dollars. Click here for the story. While reading, recall the softball interviews with BOA's CEO by CNBC stooges and other fawning flunkies from the mainstream media.
Turns out, BOA is poorly managed, overly leveraged, needs government money to complete its acquisition of Merrill Lynch--and to simply survive.
Great management--NOT!Iran President Says Israel is 'Doomed'
Iran is playing for time, preparing to play the new American President like a violin.Iran's hard-line president on Thursday warned Israel of a "doomed end" but pointedly ruled out sending weapons to its ally Hamas or getting involved militarily in the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also said his government welcomed "dialogue and having relations" with the U.S. after the inauguration next week of President-elect Barack Obama, who has said he is open to diplomatic contacts with Iran.
But "if they want to have the previous stance wrapped up in a new package, [talking] will not work," he said. "If the stance is oppressor against the oppressed, it will not be fruitful."
Ahmadinejad's comments on Gaza squared with an Iranian pattern of provocative talk meant to put pressure on Arab governments to more aggressively oppose the Israeli offensive, but without committing Tehran to a more direct role in the conflict.
Click here to continue reading.Real American Heroes
"This is a country where citizens show calm in the face of danger."
President George W. Bush
A great American pilot crash landed a jetliner in the Hudson River Thursday, and, miraculously, everyone--all passengers and crew members--apparently survived.
Real heroes: the pilot, co-pilot and crew ... the passengers who aided each other and did not panic ... the New York City police, divers, ferry boat captains, tugboats and others who rushed to the scene to help.
God bless them all.US Airways Plane Crashes into Hudson River
PASSENGERS SAY THEY HEARD LOUD NOISE AND SMELLED SMOKE
Dateline USA....
BREAKING NEWS: A US Airways AIrbus crash-landed in the Hudson River opposite 42nd Street in Manhattan.
All 148 passengers and 6 crew members appear to have been evacuated safely through front, rear and emergency exits.
Surviving passengers told CNN that he heard a loud bang and smelled smoke shortly after takeoff from La Gaurdia Airport. The plane, Flight 1549 bound for Charlotte, NC, then spun out of control, and the pilot warned everyone on board to "prepare for impact."
Miraculously, he managed to land the plane safely. Eyewitnesses in Manhattan said the plane made a "soft landing" in the river.
"You could smell the smoke," a passenger told CNN.
The pilot reported a double bird strike, the network said.
The pilot reportedly added that he wanted to try for a landing at another airport but could not make it and had to go down into the river.
The plane was only aloft for about three minutes after taking off.
Commercial ferries and other vessels immediately came to the aid of the passengers. Life jackets were thrown in the water.
Depart of Homeland Security and the FBI are saying there is no indication of terrorism or foul play. Birds are suspected as the cause of the crash, officials say.
Friday, 16 January 2009
Foreign Confidential....
Riots Spread to Lithuania; Mob Attacks Parliament
Grant Smith reports from London:
Foreign Confidential....
Foreign Confidential....
Dateline USA....
Foreign Confidential....
Dateline USA....
FAA SAYS BIRDS MAY HAVE HIT JET ENGINES
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