Year: 2012

Revolution SyriaLeave a comment

UN envoy calls for interim Syria government

Khamakar News Agency

Lakhdar Brahimi urges “real change” in Damascus and for transitional leaders with full power until elections are held. The UN envoy said that Syrians needed more than just a cosmetic change International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has called for “real change” in war-torn Syria and the installation of a transitional government with full powers until elections can be held. The envoy unveiled his initiative in Damascus on Thursday as Russia, the most powerful ally of Syria’s government, denied the existence of a joint peace plan with the United States, amid a flurry of year-end diplomatic activity on the crisis. “Change should not … Continue reading UN envoy calls for interim Syria government

Revolution PalestineLeave a comment

Meretz presents four-year path to peace based on Arab League initiative

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  Party would cancel the Oslo Accords in agreement with the Palestinians, and replace them with a new interim pact. The leftist Meretz party on Tuesday unveiled its diplomatic platform – a four-year path to peace based on the Arab League initiative. The platform calls for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state followed by negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, a freeze on settlement construction, release of Palestinian prisoners and removal of West Bank roadblocks, Meretz chairwoman Zahava Gal-On said on Tuesday at a Tel Aviv news conference. The plan would also cancel the Oslo Accords in agreement with the Palestinians, … Continue reading Meretz presents four-year path to peace based on Arab League initiative

TerrorismLeave a comment

Prisoners wounded in Israeli attacks on their cells

Khamakar News Agency

RAMALLAH, (PIC)– Israeli prison guards and special forces attacked Palestinian prisoners in two prisons on Wednesday wounding four of them, the Palestinian prisoner’s association said in a statement on Thursday. It said that joint forces of Matsada, Nahshon, and Dror attacked wards 4, 6, 9 in the Megiddo jail wounding four prisoners, adding that ward 4 was closed. The statement said that other units stormed ward 14 in Nafha desert prison last night and injured a number of prisoners in the process. It said that the soldiers searched the detainees and damaged their belongings in the process in rooms 94 … Continue reading Prisoners wounded in Israeli attacks on their cells

RevolutionLeave a comment

Iraq militia issues threat against Turkish interests

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BAGHDAD (Reuters) — An Iraqi militia on Thursday issued a threat against Turkish interests in Iraq, responding to what it described as Turkey’s “blatant interference” in the country’s internal affairs. Relations between Turkey and Iraq have been deteriorating over the past year, with the two countries trading accusations of inciting sectarian tensions, and summoning each other’s ambassadors in tit-for-tat manoeuvres. Ankara has angered Baghdad by cultivating close ties with Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, which has defied the central government by signing contracts with foreign oil firms. (www.maannews.net / 27.12.2012) Continue reading Iraq militia issues threat against Turkish interests

Opinion othersLeave a comment

Iran’s Guns for Gaza

Khamakar News Agency

Lee Smith over at the Weekly Standard has written an excellent introduction to Iran’s efforts to supply Palestinian extremists with guns. It’s a roundabout route—by sea from Iran to Sudan, then by land through Egypt and the Sinai, then down the tunnels into Gaza. Iranian personnel are believed to be present for at least some of this process; the Israelis periodically attack. A new, non-Iranian source has also emerged: Libya. Gaddafi’s vast stocks of weapons were a boon to the international black market in small arms; the Standard shows a photo of a masked terrorist holding a Belgian assault rifle (a photo drolly cited “courtesy of … Continue reading Iran’s Guns for Gaza

Politics anti IslamLeave a comment

Dutch right-wing politician puts “anti-Islam policy priority in 2013”

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Dutch politician Geert Wilders, leader of the right wing populist Party of Freedom PVV, said on Thursday that anti-Islam policy will be his top priority in the forthcoming year, local media reported. “Next to all things about Europe and the economic situation the people will hear from our resistance against the ‘Islamization’ of the Netherlands,” Wilders told Dutch TV channel NOS in an interview. “I will intensify this battle, both in the Netherlands, but also internationally from Australia to America to Switzerland, or anywhere else,” he added. He said the fight was a life mission for him. He also noted … Continue reading Dutch right-wing politician puts “anti-Islam policy priority in 2013”

Revolution MoroccoLeave a comment

Korea Telecom makes bid for Vivendi’s Maroc Telecom stake

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Korea Telecom confirmed that it made a non-binding preliminary bid for Vivendi’s 53 percent stake in Maroc Telecom on 17 December, Bloomberg reports. Vivendi is reportedly seeking around EUR 5.5 billion for the stake. Korea Telecom said last year that it would focus on growing its presence in emerging markets, including Africa and Central America, but was forced to drop a plan to buy 20 percent of Telkom South Africa this summer due to opposition from the South African government. Other potential bidders for the Maroc Telecom stake include France Telecom, Qtel and Etisalat. (www.telecompaper.com / 27.12.2012)   Continue reading Korea Telecom makes bid for Vivendi’s Maroc Telecom stake

Revolution PalestineLeave a comment

Foreign activists enter Gaza on solidarity mission

Khamakar News Agency

A delegation of pro-Palestinian activists, mainly French and Egyptian, crossed into Gaza from Egypt on Thursday to deliver aid, AFP correspondents at the border reported. The “Welcome to Palestine” delegation of about 90 people is to stay in the territory until January 1, in solidarity with the people of Gaza and in protest against the Israeli blockade in force since 2006, organisers say. Organised by French group EuroPalestine, the delegation includes 60 French members and 25 Egyptians, and entered Gaza through the Rafah border terminal, the only land crossing between the territory and the outside world not dependent on Israel, … Continue reading Foreign activists enter Gaza on solidarity mission

Revolution SyriaLeave a comment

Russia’s Lavrov says world must seek peaceful solution for Syria

Khamakar News Agency

MOSCOW (Reuters) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that the chances of forging a solution to the Syrian conflict based on a June agreement by world powers that called for a transitional government are decreasing, the Interfax news agency reported. It is nevertheless necessary to keep seeking a peaceful solution because the alternative is “bloody chaos”, Interfax quoted him as saying in an interview. “The longer it continues, the broader its scale and the worse (it will be) for everyone.” (www.maannews.net / 27.12.2012) Continue reading Russia’s Lavrov says world must seek peaceful solution for Syria

Revolution PalestineLeave a comment

The Jordan Valley of occupied state of Palestine

Khamakar News Agency

Palestine, (Pal Telegraph) – Jordan Valley covers around 28.5% of the West Bank and is rich in land and water resources, making it conducive for agriculture and animal husbandry. Even though there are 56,000 Palestinians and about 9,400 Israeli settlers living in the area, only around 5% of the Jordan Valley is under full or civilian Palestinian control. The rest, 95% of the Valley is designated Area C, which under the Oslo agreement is under full Israeli control. What this means is that agricultural and grazing land is not accessible to Palestinians, the result of which is that 60% of … Continue reading The Jordan Valley of occupied state of Palestine