Tuesday 22 November 2011

Future Greek Governments Must Be Bound to Austerity Strategy

'The European Union has insisted that no matter what political flavour of government is elected in Greece well into the future, they must all be bound to the current austerity strategy imposed by the bloc and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"For the EU and IMF to support [Greece], they need to be sure that this is for a sustainable effort, that it's not for tomorrow for a government, but for future governments," European Commission President said in Brussels on Monday (21 November).

"This is not a sprint; it's a marathon. It requires a sustained effort from Greece," he added, standing alongside interim Prime Minister Lucas Papademos. EU and IMF power brokers are demanding that all main political leaders supporting the temporary technocratic administration go beyond a coalition agreement.

They want the political chiefs of the centre-left, centre-right and far right to sign letters committing themselves not just to carrying out the austerity and structural adjustment agreed at an EU summit on 26 October related to the country's existing bail-out programme, but also any additional measures that are yet to be decided for a second rescue package.'

Read more: Future Greek Governments Must Be Bound to Austerity Strategy


Gaddafi's Son Knows Too Much, Will Be Silenced

'The National Transitional Council has since said it won't hand him over to the Hague Tribunal. Instead it's vowed to try him at home for crimes against the Libyan people, that could result in the death penalty.

*Blair needs to be tried for war crimes. This guy has the evidence against Blair. What's his chances of a trial?'


CIA Intelligence Fiasco in Lebanon

'Hezbollah has dealt a heavy blow to CIA operations in Lebanon, forcing the intelligence agency to curtail its espionage activities in the country, US officials say.

According to current and former US officials, CIA operations in Lebanon have been badly damaged after the resistance movement identified and captured a number of US spies this year, AP reported. They have also said that CIA officials have secretly been scrambling in recent months to protect their remaining spies, foreign assets or agents working for the agency, before Hezbollah finds them.

Giving credit to Hezbollah for uncovering the espionage rings, the US officials blamed negligence by CIA managers and sloppy practices used by the spies for their networks being discovered in Lebanon, which is considered a key watching post for collecting crucial intelligence on Middle East countries including Syria and Iran.'

Read more: CIA Intelligence Fiasco in Lebanon