News items that look towards Ezekiel 38 & 39

[Shammu]

Georgia blames Russian spies for inciting political dissent

Staff and agencies
Wednesday November 7, 2007

Tension between Georgia and Russia worsened today as the Georgian president accused Russian spies of whipping-up unrest among the political opposition.

Mikhail Saakashvili said that several Russian diplomats had been asked to leave because they were involved in espionage activities.

"Russian special services have stepped up their activities in Georgia," Mr Saakashvili said in a televised address several hours after riot police using truncheons, water cannons and tear gas dispersed protesters calling for his resignation.

Mr Saakashvili said he regretted the use of force, but argued that it was necessary to prevent the country from sliding into chaos. He accused Russia of backing the opposition.

"A country which has a lot of money and expertise has engaged a machine of lies and a mechanism of provocations," he said, referring to Russia.

Shortly before his statement, Georgian television stations aired what they said was a taped conversation between opposition leaders and Russian embassy officials. The opposition has dismissed it as a fabrication.

Georgia also recalled its ambassador from Moscow for consultations and summoned Russia's envoy to Tbilisi for talks.

Georgia blames Russian spies for inciting political dissent

[Shammu]

Last train from Russia’s military base in Georgia to leave Nov 8

07.11.2007, 19.54

MOSCOW, November 7 (Itar-Tass) --The last train with arms and property from Russia’s 12th military base in Batumi will leave Georgia for Russia on November 8, an aide to commander of the Russian Land Forces, Colonel Igor Konashenkov, said on Wednesday.

“We are finishing the preparation for the departure of the last military train with military hardware and property from the 12th Russian military base in Batumi,” he said.

“The train will leave for Russia on Thursday morning. It will take 12 vehicles and property of about 55 tonnes,” Konashenkov said.

“All hardware has already been loaded on the platforms and been examined by the Georgian side. This is the last train to leave Georgia for Russia with military hardware and property from the Russian military bases in Georgia,” he said.

Another train will leave Batumi in the middle of November to bring additional supplies for the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia. “That will complete the withdrawal of military property and hardware from the Russian military bases in Georgia to Russia,” Konashenkov said.

Russia has withdrawn over 500 pieces of military hardware (about 350 motor vehicles and over 150 armoured vehicles) and almost 2,000 tonnes of other property from the Russian military bases in Georgia in 2007.

Four trains were dispatched to Armenia for the 102nd military base in Gyumri.

Last train from Russia’s military base in Georgia to leave Nov 8

[Shammu]

Georgian FM names Russian diplomats declared personae non-gratae

07.11.2007, 22.27

TBILISI, November 7 (Itar-Tass) -- The Georgian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced the names of three Russian diplomats who have been declared personae non-gratae and have to leave the country.

“The Russian embassy in Georgia has been given a note for transfer to the Russian Foreign Ministry,” the ministry said.

The note says that Russian Minister-Counsellor to Georgia Ivan Volynkin, adviser Pyotr Solomatin, and 3rd Secretary Alexander Kurenkov were declared personae non-gratae.

Under Clause 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, THE Georgian Foreign Ministry demanded that Russia recall these diplomats.

Earlier in the day, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said in a televised address to the nation that “several employees of the Russian embassy were engaged in subversive activities and espionage in Georgia. These employees of the Russian embassy will leave Georgia within days”.

Saakashvili accused Russian secret services of subversive actions against Georgia.

“All the mechanisms of lies and provocations on the part of the state which has much money and large experience have been activated,” he said.

“We have proof and we will make it public. We have recalled our ambassador [to Russia] and it’s not a theatrical gesture,” the president said.

Georgia recalled its Ambassador to Russia Irakly Chubinishvili “for consultations in Tbilisi,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.

“I have heard about an alternative government [Georgia] that was created in Moscow,” Saakashvili said.

He described as “unpleasant” Wednesday’s events in Tbilisi when commandoes dispersed an opposition rally and said this is how law enforcement agencies act in Europe and the United States.

Saakashvili said the leadership of the country “will do everything to prevent mass disturbances."

Authorities are prepared for a dialogue with the opposition. “There are many people among the opposition who truly care about the country. These people have a different vision of how problems should be solved, but a dialogued with them is possible. But there are also people among them who are controlled by outside forces, namely from Russia, and there will be no dialogue with them. We have concrete facts that these people maintained contact with Russian secret services,” the president said.

“No foreign force will take us back to the past,” he vowed.

Georgian FM names Russian diplomats declared personae non-gratae

[Shammu]

Russia moves toward treaty suspension
The Associated Press
Nov. 07, 2007

MOSCOW --
Russia's lower house of parliament voted unanimously Wednesday to suspend Moscow's participation in a key European arms control treaty, approving President Vladimir Putin's initiative in a widely expected show of defiance to the West.

In a 418-0 vote, lawmakers in the State Duma approved legislation under which Moscow would temporarily abandon its obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, a 1990 pact that has become one several issues straining Russia's relations with the United States and Europe.

The legislation still faces approval in the upper house, which is also a virtually certainty, before it goes to Putin for his signature. It would take effect Dec. 12.

Putin announced plans to suspend participation in the CFE treaty in July, amid increasing Russian anger over U.S. efforts to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe and growing Western influence in the former Soviet Union.

The CFE treaty limits the number of tanks, aircraft and other conventional weapons in Europe. But Putin's decision to suspend participation is seen as being driven less by security concerns than by an increasingly confident Russia's desire to emphasize to the West that its interests cannot be ignored.

Russia moves toward treaty suspension

[Shammu]

Turkish commandos drill near Iraqi border
Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST    Nov. 7, 2007

About 100 Turkish commandos scaled the slopes of a mountain near the Iraqi border in a mock exercise Wednesday, as Turkey's president called for "soldier-to-soldier" dialogue with US troops to coordinate a possible cross-border offensive against Kurdish rebels.

Tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers positioned along the rugged Iraqi border have increased anti-rebel operations in the area, after a spate of rebel attacks led Turkey to threaten an incursion to hit rebel bases in northern Iraq.

The United States and Iraq have been pressing Turkey, however, to avoid a major cross-border attack on the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, bases, in what has been one of the most stable areas in Iraq.

Turkish commandos drill near Iraqi border

[Shammu]

Gulf States Preparing for U.S. Attack on Iran

(IsraelNN.com) Armed forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are prepared for an American attack on Iran and an ensuing war, according to the French news agency AFP. Saudi Arabia's defense minister Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz confirmed the defense readiness at a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign and defense ministers.

The GCC, an ally of the United States, includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Gulf States Preparing for U.S. Attack on Iran

[Shammu]

Ahmadinejad: 3,000 centrifuges running
Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST    Nov. 7, 2007

Iran has achieved a landmark, with 3,000 centrifuges fully working in its controversial uranium enrichment program, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Wednesday.

"We have now reached 3,000 machines," Ahmadinejad told thousands of Iranians gathered in Birjand, in eastern Iran, in a show of defiance of international demands to halt the program believed to be masking the country's nuclear arms efforts.

Ahmadinejad has in the past claimed that Iran succeeded in installing the 3,000 centrifuges at its uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. But Wednesday's claim was his first official statement that the plant is now fully operating all those centrifuges.

When Iran first announced launching the 3,000 centrifuges in April, the UN nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Teheran had only 328 centrifuges up and running at Natanz's underground facility.

In a recent report, drawn up by IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, the agency put the number of centrifuges working in Natanz at close to 2,000, with another 650 being tested.

Uranium gas, spun in linked centrifuges, can result in either low-enriched fuel suitable to generate power in a nuclear reactor, or the weapons-grade material that forms the fissile core of nuclear warheads.

The US and some of its Western allies believe Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover for weapons' development. Teheran denies this, insisting its nuclear program is geared toward generating electricity, not a nuclear bomb.

US experts say 3,000 centrifuges are in theory enough to produce a nuclear weapon, perhaps as soon as within a year.

Iran says it plans to expand its enrichment program to up to 54,000 centrifuges at Natanz in central Iran - which would amount to the level of industrial-scale uranium enrichment.
Two rounds of UN Security Council sanctions have failed to persuade Iran to halt the enrichment.

Ahmadinejad on Wednesday reiterated his rejection of any suspension of Iran's enrichment activities, or even a compromise over how Teheran will proceed beyond the 3,000 centrifuges.

"They say they've swallowed (bitterly accepted) these 3,000 and want to reach an agreement with us on what to do, at what speed, how many (centrifuges) a day or week," Ahmadinejad said of latest Western pressures.

"Our response is: 'Who are you to make comments about the Iranian nation ... do we ask you how many machines you have,"' Ahmadinejad added.
He also said he had bluntly refused a recent offer to negotiate with the United States over Iran's nuclear activities.

"I, as your representative, told those who brought the message that we didn't ask for talks ... If talks are to be held, it is the Iranian nation that has to set conditions, not the arrogant and the criminals," Ahmadinejad said.

"The world must know that this nation will not give up one iota of its nuclear rights ... if they think they can get concessions from this nation, they are badly mistaken," he concluded.

Iran says it is fully within its rights to pursue the enrichment to produce fuel under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Ahmadinejad: 3,000 centrifuges running

[Shammu]

in a show of defiance of international demands to halt the program believed to be masking the country's nuclear arms efforts

That quote about sums it all up. The only thing better would have been a picture of Imanutjob, thumbing his nose at the UN.

[Shammu]

Strategic value key to Turkey's accession'

CANSU ÇAMLIBEL
BRUSSELS - Turkish Daily News

  Since Turkey's accession talks have undergone hard times due to serious objections from some EU member states, in particular France, the European Commission has stepped up its advocating the importance of keeping Turkey on the path to Brussels. The Commission aims to remind EU countries of Turkey's strategic importance for the Union, an argument which had major influence after September 11 but has been scaled down recently.

  The Commission reflected its insistence on further negotiations with Ankara in its enlargement strategy paper due for publication Nov. 6 together with its progress report on Turkey. A draft of the strategy paper, obtained by the Turkish Daily News, contains an open call to member states to refrain from blocking negotiations for political reasons unrelated to substance. “It is essential that the European Union honor its commitments and keep the negotiation process on track and that chapters are opened as soon as technical conditions are met,” the paper said. The call came at a critical stage after France began silently blocking two chapters that are technically ready on trans-European Networks and protection of the consumer and health in anticipation of establishing a consultation committee of “wise men”.

  In order to demonstrate the strategic importance of accession negotiations, the European Commission listed a number of areas highlighting Turkey's vital role in preserving the interests of the Union.

Energy hub:

  Turkey has the potential to become a major energy hub between the EU and the world's biggest oil and gas sources, and thus a key actor for the security of Europe's energy supply. An impact study on energy supply in Turkey will be presented in 2008.

Peacekeeping missions:

  Turkey holds important security assets and has already provided them in an number of EU and NATO missions from the Western Balkans to the Democratic Republic of Congo and from Darfur to Afghanistan.

Migration control

  Turkey's alignment on EU policies will bring particular benefits in areas such as migration control and environment.

Bridge between the West and Muslim world

  Turkey's continued commitment to reforms holds major strategic importance for the EU's own security and stability. Turkey is a unique interface between the West and Muslim world. This has been clearly established by the Alliance of Civilizations initiative to foster dialogue under the auspices of the UN.

Efforts for Middle East peace

  Turkey's accession to the EU, based on profound democratic transformation, is followed with interest in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world. Turkey is also engaged in the Middle East peace process. In line with the position of Quartet, Turkey supported the formation of a National Unity Government.

Support for Iraq

  Turkey has continued to support efforts towards achieving Iraq's national reconciliation, security and peace. Turkey has offered to train Iraqi security forces. It has organized seminars for Iraqi political parties, diplomats, media representatives and health personnel. Turkey hosted an enlarged meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries aimed at achieving national reconciliation and stabilization in the country. However, due to Turkish concerns on lack of security at the border, relations with Iraq continues to present challenges.

Constructive contacts with Iran

  While remaining in dialogue with Iran on the nuclear issue, Turkey has also supported all statements by the EU related to Iran's nuclear program. In the context of the high-level talks with Iranian officials, Turkey encouraged compliance with international requirements. In April, Turkey hosted a meeting between High Representative Javier Solana and the Iranian Chief Negotiator. In July, a bilateral Memorandum on Understanding on energy was signed.

High level trade with EU

  Turkey consistently records high and steady economic growth and is among the EU's leading trade and investment partners.

  Despite the Commission's overall positive assessments on issues relating to Turkey's alignment with European common policy, Ankara was also criticized for dragging its feet on some international obligations considered to be areas of priority for the Union.

Non-compliance with additional protocol

  Turkey has not fully implemented the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement and has not removed all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on direct transport links with Cyprus.

Veto on EU-Nato cooperation

  Turkey's desire to increase its involvement in European Security and Defense Policy has been welcomed. However, Turkey objects to the inclusion of Cyprus and Malta in EU-NATO cooperation based on the “Berlin Plus” Agreement.

Casus belli

  Turkey and Greece have continued their efforts to improve bilateral relations. In November, the Turkish Chief of Staff visited Greece. On this occasion, the military-related aspects of the previously agreed confidence-building measures were reviewed and evaluated and further measures were agreed upon. However, the “casus belli” reference in relation to the possible extension of Greek territorial waters in the resolution adopted by the Turkish Parliament in 1995 remains unchanged.

Border with Armenia closed

  Meetings between high-level Turkish and Armenian officials have taken place. Furthermore, Turkey took the symbolic steps of inviting Armenian representatives to the funeral of assassinated Turkish journalist of Armenian origin Hrant Dink in January, and to the inauguration of the restored Armenian Church of the Holy Cross in Akdamar in March. However, there have been no substantial developments on improving relations. Turkey has kept its border with Armenia closed.

Strategic value key to Turkey's accession'

[Shammu]

Turkey To Sign Documents With Arab League And Egypt
Published: 11/4/2007

   
ANKARA - Turkey will sign two agreements with Arab League and Egypt within the scope of International Conference on Iraq scheduled to take place in Istanbul on November 2nd and 3rd.

Turkey and Arab League will sign, "Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum Framework Agreement" on November 2nd.

The agreement envisages cooperation between Turkey and Arab League on politics and security, as well as economy, cultural and social development. The agreement also foresees joining forces to boost Alliance of Civilizations Initiative.

Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum is expected to add a new momentum to the progress recorded between Turkey and Arab countries particularly in the recent period.

This new step between Turkey and Arab countries is also important to foster efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.

Turkish FM Babacan and Arab League SG Amr Moussa will be the signatories of the agreement.

-TURKEY-EGYPT

Another document to be signed within the framework of the Istanbul meeting will be, "Framework Agreement for Turkish- Egyptian Strategic Partnership".

The goal of the document will be to flourish bilateral relations between the two leading countries of the East Mediterranean --Turkey and Egypt, to the level of strategic partnership.

The document foresees establishment of consultation and cooperation mechanisms at the ministerial level in political, economic and cultural areas.

The document also envisages close cooperation between the two parties on bilateral matters as well as regional and international matters.

Babacan and Egyptian FM Ahmed Aboul Gheit will sign the document on November 3rd.

Turkey To Sign Documents With Arab League And Egypt

[Shammu]

Turkey has started to turn from the West to the East now. This could help put the prophetic clock in motion for the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39. We need to keep watching developments as they relate to Turkey, I myself see Turkey as one of the pivotal nations in Bible prophecy.

[Shammu]

Iran 'could have atom bomb in a year'
November 7, 2007

President Ahmadinejad of Iran claimed today that his country had developed 3,000 centrifuges for enriching uranium - a sufficient number, according to scientists to allow it to build an atomic bomb within a year.

In a defiant speech, Mr Ahmadinejad also vowed to continue ignoring UN Security Council resolutions to stop Iran's nuclear programme, claiming that "the Iranian nation could not care a less" about two rounds of sanctions that had been imposed.

"We have now reached 3,000 machines," the Iranian leader told a rally in the north eastern city of Birjand.

Enriched uranium can fuel power plants but also, if refined further, provide fissile material for bombs, although Iran says that its nuclear programme is for generating electricity.

Western experts say that, in ideal conditions, Iran's 3,000 centrifuges could enrich enough uranium within a year to make a nuclear warhead. The centrifuges are located at an underground nuclear facility at Natanz in central Iran.

Mr Ahmadeinjad said that he would not back down on uranium enrichment and UN sanctions programmes and resolutions were meaningless. "Some people say implement the resolutions, but we say the resolutions are based on a wrong report," he said.

"Iran will not give any credit to these resolutions. They should know that the Iranian nation could not care less about the sanctions."

He added that the Iranian people "will not retreat an iota from any of their rights, especially nuclear rights".

Rejecting Western pressures to halt the programme, he added: “Our response is: ’Who are you to make comments about the Iranian nation. Do we ask you how many machines you have?"

Two programmes of sanctions have now been imposed which target the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme and ballistic missile programme. In addition, the United States has imposed its own unilateral sanctions, including blacklisting the country's elite Revolutionary Guard corps and its Quds force, accused of arming and training insurgents in Iraq.

It has also blacklisted major Iranian banks and successfully encouraged virtually all major European banks into cutting business with the Islamic republic.

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed on a timetable in August for Tehran to provide answers to outstanding questions over its nuclear programme. In addition, the EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is due to publish a report by mid-November.

Iran 'could have atom bomb in a year'

[Shammu]

The best guessed scenario for Iran to develop a Nuclear WMD had been that they would be ready to become a nuclear-powered state in 2010 or possibly 2011. Now, with this latest intelligence from the area of Iran and with the materials gathered from the Syrian nuclear facility, Israeli Intel says that Iran could have a Nuclear WMD by 2009. This information is key to stopping Iran as well as Syria from acquiring a Nuclear WMD for their military arsenals.

Jewish prophets pre-wrote this scenario for the Last Days.

Daniel and Ezekiel, contemporary prophets, both wrote of the Last Days when nations would move to destroy the Jewish state of Israel. Daniel, in Daniel 11:40-43, revealed that Syria would be the first state to make a move against Israel. Ezekiel in chapter 38:5, states that Persia, modern-day Iran, would also play a key role in the coalition of nations to come against Israel.

This latest intelligence information indicates that Bible prophecy may very well be close to fulfillment.

[Shammu]

'US troops might become Iran's hostages'
Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST    Nov. 7, 2007

If a US attack against Iran occurs, American forces in Iraq could end up virtual "hostages in Iran's hands," Lebanon's most senior Shi'ite Muslim cleric has warned.

Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah - a former Hizbullah spiritual guide still widely respected by many militants - says US President George W. Bush's war on terror has encouraged extremists, not curbed them, and has deepened Arab animosity toward America.

"The American people must realize that their administration is not fighting terrorism but rather is causing it," Fadlallah told The Associated Press Tuesday.

Fadlallah spoke at a mosque in Haret Hreik where he leads noon prayers, not far from where his house and office, located in the Hizbullah stronghold of south Beirut, were leveled by Israeli warplanes during last year's summer war between Israel and Iranian-backed Hizbullah guerrillas.

He is the top religious authority for Lebanon's 1.2 million Shi'ites, believed to be the country's largest of 18 sects. The cleric - who often criticizes US polices in the Mideast - told the AP he thought a US attack on Iran was unlikely but he still had harsh words of warning.

"I believe that the conditions in the region, the failure facing President Bush's policies in the region, and fears by (Arab) Gulf states that a war on Iran will probably destroy sensitive areas - especially oil wealth sources - makes an attack on Iran highly unlikely," the black-turbaned, white-bearded cleric said.

But "in the event of a war on Iran, US soldiers in Iraq might become hostages in Iran's hands," he added.

There are increasing worries among some Arabs that the US or Israel plans to strike Iran. Though Washington has said it wants to solve its differences with Teheran diplomatically, it has said it's not ruling out any options.

The US and some of its Western allies believe Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover for weapons development. Teheran denies this, insisting its nuclear program is for generating electricity, not developing a nuclear bomb.

Washington also accuses Shi'ite-majority Iran of supplying Shi'ite militants in Iraq with deadly roadside bombs that have killed American troops - a claim Tehran also denies.

In a show of defiance, Iran has staged large-scale military parades and made claims recently that its military would strike back if attacked.

Last month, Gen. Mahmoud Chaharbaghi, the missile commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the country was capable of firing 11,000 rockets into enemy bases within a minute of any attack. The US has tens of thousands troops in Iran's neighbors Iraq and Afghanistan as well across the Gulf and in Mideast waters.

Fadlallah, 72, has emerged over the years as a prominent figure in Lebanese and regional politics. Some visiting foreign dignitaries have called on him, including most recently British Mideast envoy Michael Williams.

He now lives in a renovated house adjacent to his destroyed residence amid rubble and shell-pocked buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs.

A Lebanese born in the Iraqi city of Najaf, the spiritual heart for Shi'ites, Fadlallah was spiritual mentor for Hizbullah during the 1980s, when militants linked to the group were blamed for kidnapping Westerners and bombing American embassies and the Marine base in Beirut, killing more than 260 Americans.

Hizbullah, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Washington, has denied involvement in the kidnappings or bombings.

Fadlallah also has denied links to the bombings, though Western intelligence officials in the 1980s claimed he blessed the suicide drivers whose bomb-laden vehicles destroyed the Marine base and French military headquarters in Beirut in 1983.

Fadlallah escaped a 1985 car bombing of his neighborhood that killed 75 people and wounded 256, an attack believed by many to have been masterminded by the CIA.

In 1995, former US President Bill Clinton issued an order to freeze the cleric's US assets as part of an anti-terror campaign.

Fadlallah has stopped being Hizbullah's spiritual guide about 20 years ago, and has regularly condemned terror attacks against civilians. He currently runs an Islamic charity with links to businesses such as schools, gas stations and a restaurant.

But his ties to Hizbullah are not completely severed. He recently met Hizbullah's leader Hassan Nasrallah.

"My relations with Hizbullah are good," he said Tuesday, without elaborating.

Fadlallah has followers among Shi'ites in Iraq, the Gulf, Pakistan and India. He has accused the US of engineering the sectarian strife in Iraq and decried Sunni-Shi'ite violence there.

'US troops might become Iran's hostages'

[Shammu]

This is one fear I simply do not have.   Heaven help them if they think they can take over 100,000 of our soldiers and hold them "hostage" in Iraq and still have their home country be safe.