News items that look towards Ezekiel 38 & 39

[Shammu]

Israel nixes Turkey's request to open Turkish Cypriot rep office
By Adar Primor, Haaretz Correspondent
03:53 07/12/2007

Israel told a visiting Cypriot minister that it has decided to reject Turkey's request to open a Turkish Cypriot representative office in Tel Aviv.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul had asked President Shimon Peres for approval for such an office during Peres' visit to Ankara last month.

Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also asked Peres to examine the possibility of operating air and sea traffic between Israel and Famagusta in North Cyprus.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, who visited Israel this week, told Haaretz that Peres and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told her Israel would reject Turkey's requests. (Full interview on Sunday.)

Israeli officials confirmed this. "We are aware of the sensitivities and have no intention of deviating from the accepted UN position," an official said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when the Greek military junta then ruling in Athens supported a coup against the democratic Cypriot government. Turkey then invaded Cyprus and occupied the northern half of the Island. In 1983 the Turkish minority (Turkish Republic of North Cyprus - TRNC) declared independence, but the world, apart from Turkey, does not recognize it and sees the area as occupied territory of sovereign Cyprus.

Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis officially visited Israel to be briefed on developments in the peace process and to explore bilateral relations. Unofficially, according to sources involved in her visit, she also wanted to ensure Cyprus was not harmed by the warming relations between Israel and Turkey.

Israel nixes Turkey's request to open Turkish Cypriot rep office

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Now I don't know much about this site........
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Did Russia Fool U.S. Intelligence on Iraq, Iran and Syrian WMD?

According to the Intelligence Summit, Saddam's secret archives prove he really did have WMD and the Russians helped him hide them in Syria. The Russian cover-up is beginning to collapse, the group says. Israel bombed Saddam's WMD storehouse in Syria on Sept. 6, 2007. The Intelligence Summit, a non patisan NGO, details the deadly documents that Saddam and the Russians tried to hide.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 7, 2007 -- On Wednesday evening, Dec.12, 2007, John Loftus, President of the non-partisan Intelligence Summit, will address the McLendon Group of the National Press Club in Washington DC. Loftus will review documents recently discovered in Saddam's secret archives as well as satellite photos that may resolve (or at least reopen) the debate about missing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in the Middle East. An Executive Summary at www.IntelligenceSummit.org explains how the Iraqi archives consistently document that Saddam really did have WMD projects (including A-bomb research) late into 2002. According to the Intelligence Summit, on the eve of war in 2003, Russian Special Forces evacuated Saddam's WMD material across the border to a secret storage area in Dayr as Zorr (Deir al Zour), Syria.

It is no coincidence, Loftus says, that on September 6, 2007, this same area, Dayr as Zorr, Syria, was bombed by the Israel Defense Forces. A detailed research paper at www.LoftusReport.com, argues that it was not a Syrian nuclear reactor that was destroyed, but a radiological weapons factory built on the same site as Saddam's secret storehouse for WMD. Israeli sources allege that the North Koreans were helping Syria mix highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Iraq with North Korean plutonium to make super-toxic dirty bombs. Given Syria's close alliance with Iran, it seems quite plausible that Syria has served as a secret nuclear weapons storage site for both Iraq and Iran, says Loftus. It is possible, indeed likely, that the recent National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran was tainted by the same Russian disinformation that successfully concealed the Iraqi WMD from discovery for so long, he said

Loftus says confirmation of a massive disinformation campaign has come from an unlikely source: retired agents of the Russian Military Intelligence service, the GRU. He says Russian smear propaganda specifically targeted Michael Cherney, an Israeli billionaire who was the largest single financial supporter of the Summit's WMD research into Iraq, Iran and Syria. Loftus said the National Director of Intelligence (NDI) blacklisted the Intelligence Summit from receiving federal funding because it accepted donations from Michael Cherney, whom the NDI allegedly falsely accused of being "a leader of the Russian Mafia under active investigation for money laundering."

To the chagrin of the NDI, Israeli police have just arrested four people, who were caught with documents and emails proving that they were hired to bribe journalists and politicians into making false accusations against Michael Cherney, says Loftus. The effect of this Russian smear campaign was to trick the NDI into discrediting Michael Cherney, the Intelligence Summit and all of its WMD research into Iraq, Iran and Syria. Loftus says that hiding these interconnected WMD programs may have been the most effective disinformation operation conducted in modern times. The Russian government denies any official connection, and says these retired agents were rogue operatives on the payroll of a business competitor who was trying to get out of paying a five billion dollar debt to Cherney, and were not working for the GRU.

Did Russia Fool U.S. Intelligence on Iraq, Iran and Syrian WMD?

[Shammu]

A union between Russia and Belarus in works?
December 07, 2007

President Vladimir Putin will travel to Minsk next week hoping to finalise a deal that would unite Belarus and Russia into a single state and, perhaps, give Putin a new lease on power as head of the new country.

"This is a very serious development," says Sergei Markov, a Kremlin-connected analyst. "Majorities in both countries want this reunification, and it makes a lot of sense from the security and economic viewpoints."

The Kremlin has announced that Putin and Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko will meet next Thursday in Minsk to discuss the terms of the proposed new state's Constitution.

Experts say the arrangements are not yet finalized, but could involve the smaller Belarus amalgamating with huge, oil-rich Russia in much the same way Hong Kong was recently restored to Chinese sovereignty.

Belarus, with about 10-million people, is giant Russia's closest ally in the former Soviet Union and has long been dependent upon Moscow for energy supplies, security assistance and economic subsidies.

The two countries have been discussing the possibility of re-unifying for years, though talks have always stalled in the past over government structure, division of powers and the degree of sovereignty that Belarus would retain.

"The biggest obstacle to reunification is Lukashenko, who fears he'd lose power in a big Russia-Belarus union," says Markov. "They haven't come to a solution yet, but it could be close."

A new Russia-Belarus state, with a new Constitution, might enable Putin to set aside the previous Russian Constitution that limited him to two terms in office in order to become leader of the new super-state.

A union between Russia and Belarus in works?

[Shammu]

Russian Warships To Dock In Syria
Middle-East

In an effort to expand its military presence in the international arena and reestablish a naval presence in the Middle East, Russia has dispatched a naval fleet to the region, including a guided missile cruiser, two anti submarine ships and 47 fighter planes. The fleet will dock at the Syrian port of Tartus where Russia maintains a technical base. At the same port, Iranian ships are also docked.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told reporters that the expedition "is aimed at ensuring a naval presence and establishing conditions to secure Russian navigations." Serdyukov added that the fleet will conduct tactical exercises with real and simulated launches of sea and air based missiles and intends to call at a number of different ports in the region.

In the past, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia would respond in the event Iran was attacked by a foreign power. Boosting Russia's naval presence in the area could well be an attempt to signal to Israel and possibly America that if Iran is attacked, Russia will strike back.

The Russian President has stressed on numerous occasions that he strives to become more involved in the Middle East, including the Israeli Palestinian conflict.

Whether such a large Russian presence docked at the Syrian port, will hamper Israeli navy operations or intelligence gathering missions remains to be seen.12/.06/07

Russian Warships To Dock In Syria
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I can't even imagine what the IDF thinks of this today.

Gog is getting more aggressive everyday, she certainly is flexing its muscles!! With the reports coming out daily, war exercises, flying into airspace, the so called elections, supporting and helping Iran and now this. So much for people thinking Russia isn't a threat.

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

Ezekiel 38:18 But in that day when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, says the Lord God, My wrath shall come up into My nostrils.

[Shammu]

Iran accuses US of nuclear espionage, demands explanation
Associated Press
THE JERUSALEM POST
Dec. 8, 2007

Iran has sent a formal protest note to Washington for "spying" on Iran's nuclear activities, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Saturday in the wake of the latest US report on the alleged Iranian weapons program.

Mottaki said the American report earlier this week concluding that Teheran halted atomic weapons development in 2003 and hasn't resumed it since indicated US intelligence agencies based their findings on "satellite and espionage activities," according to official IRNA news agency.

IRNA said the note was handed over to the Swiss Embassy in Teheran, which looks after US interests in Iran in the absence of diplomatic relations between Teheran and Washington.

"The day the report was issued, the Foreign Ministry submitted a formal note of protest to the Swiss Embassy and demanded explanations over (America's) espionage activities taking place (on Iran's nuclear program)," Mottaki was quoted as saying.

The US report, released Monday, was a sharp turnaround from a previous intelligence assessment in 2005.

Iran has touted the report as a vindication of its claim that its nuclear program is only peaceful. Iranian officials insist Washington should take a less hawkish stance and drop attempts to impose new UN sanctions in light of the report's conclusions.

Mottaki said 70 percent of the US report was "true and positive," but denied its allegations of Iran having had a nuclear weapons program before 2003, according to footage provided by AP Television News.

"The remaining 30%, in which they claim that Iran had a nuclear weapons program before 2003 is wrong," Mottaki said. "They refused to confess about this thirty percent because they did not want to lose all their reputation."

Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency, called the report a "sigh of relief" because its conclusions also jibe with his agency's own findings.

The United States and some of its allies accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons - a claim denied by Iran, which says its nuclear program aims only to generate electricity.

Iran has already been slapped with two rounds UN Security Council sanctions over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, a process that can produce either fuel for a reactor or a nuclear warhead.

Mottaki said the US intelligence report contained both "correct and incorrect" information.

He didn't elaborate which parts of the report were in his perception wrong, but claimed it was prepared in early 2007, only to be blocked from release earlier by political bickering in the United States.

"The US intelligence agencies report had been prepared at the beginning of the year, but political disputes between the warmongering faction and their opponents delayed its release," Mottaki said.

Mottaki was also quoted Saturday as saying US President George W. Bush was "lying" when he said he was informed of the report recently.

"Remarks by Bush that he was informed of the report recently shows that he is lying and has a short memory," Mottaki said.

Mottaki added that in the wake of the report, Iran rules out any US military action against Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment is ruled out.

"We rule out the option of military strike against Iran after the release of this report," the minister was quoted as saying.

Iran accuses US of nuclear espionage, demands explanation

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If they aren't developing nuclear weapons, they should be thanking American intelligence for averting war. The one reason I don't trust the NIE, is that they can't agree on what they think.

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Russia reportedly test-fires ballistic missile
Sat 8 Dec 2007, 18:16 GMT

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Saturday test-fired a inter-continental missile with new equipment able to pierce anti-missile shields, state news agency RIA said, underscoring Moscow's determination to assert its military might.

The RS-12M Topol ballistic missile, called the SS-25 Sickle by NATO, was successfully launched at 17:43 p.m. (2:43 p.m. British time) from Kapustin Yar firing range in southern Russia, RIA said, citing a spokesman for rocket forces.

"The launch was carried out with the aim of confirming the stability of the fundamental flying and technical characteristics of this class of missile," Rocket Forces spokesman Alexander Vovk told RIA.

He said the test was part of a trial of unspecified new equipment that could pierce anti-missile shields. Russian generals say the country is working on weapons that would pierce any shield the United States could make.

Saturday's launch of the revamped missile comes amid U.S. plans for a missile defence shield in Europe, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has said would threaten Russian interests.

Putin signed a law last week suspending Russia's participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty in a step which could allow it to deploy more forces close to western Europe. The move comes into force on December 12-13.

As configured in 1985, the Topol has a maximum range of 10,000 km (6,215 miles), and can carry one 550-kiloton nuclear warhead. The 20.5 metre (67 ft) long missile was designed in the 1970s and made its first flights in 1982.

The last launch of a Topol missile took place on October 18.

Buoyed by huge oil revenues, Russia under Putin has been boosting military spending while at the same time using diplomacy to broaden Moscow's influence.

This week, Russia said it would start the first major navy sortie into the Mediterranean since Soviet times. Eleven ships, including an aircraft carrier, will take part in the sortie and be backed up by 47 aircraft -- including strategic bombers.

Russia reportedly test-fires ballistic missile

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Gulf States Accept U.S. Defense from Iran
December 08 2007

(IsraelNN.com) The small Gulf states are afraid of Iran and have agreed to let the United States place Patriot air-defense missiles on their territory, according to Channel 10 TV news.

The channel's Arab affairs reporter said the situation in the Gulf has become very tense recently.

Gulf States Accept U.S. Defense from Iran
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Gates calls for air and missile defense umbrella in Gulf     
Dec 7 04:44 PM US/Eastern

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Friday called for an "air and missile defense umbrella" over the Gulf region to deter missile attacks by Iran.

Gates told Al Hurra television -- a US funded Arabic language satellite television network -- that Iran could resume its nuclear weapons program "at a whim or a moment's notice" despite a new intelligence finding that Tehran halted a secret program in 2003.

"So I think it's very important to keep the pressure on and get Tehran to abjure a nuclear weapon in the future, and to bring their enrichment program under control," Gates said, according to a transcript of the interview.

Gates, who is in Bahrain for a regional security conference, said the United States enjoyed strong military relations with most of the Gulf states.

He said they should "cooperate multilaterally in establishing an air and missile defense umbrella over this region that would deter a country like Iran from threatening to use missiles."

The United States has begun discussions with countries in the region "about things such as a shared early warning, maritime surveillance, and things like that," he said.

The Pentagon this week announced proposed sales of Patriot missile defense and early warning systems to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait worth more than 10 billion dollars.

On Friday, it notified Congress of a possible sale to Saudi Arabia of upgraded AWACS airborne early warning systems worth another 400 million dollars.

Gates calls for air and missile defense umbrella in Gulf

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Putin's power raises alarm bells
Sat, December 8, 2007
By ED FEUER

In parliamentary elections widely described as neither free, fair nor democratic, it's clear Russian President Vladimir Putin is rapidly taking his country backward.

George Bush said he looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul but John McCain's take is more accurate: "When I look into his eyes, I see three letters: KGB." His alarming suppression of dissent and control of the media fuels his growing authoritarian rule.

Although Putin faces a constitutional ban on three consecutive presidential terms, the personality cult being promoted shows he won't be soon following Mikhail Gorbachev on the Western lecture circuit. He will undoubtedly find some way to continue his rule in some form.

High-priced oil and gas exports have freed Putin from the need for good behaviour to impress foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund. And Putin, unfortunately, seems to think Russia cannot be a great nation unless it makes great mischief.

He has picked fights with the Americans and the West including such issues as Kosovo, suspending a treaty on conventional forces in Europe, the missile shield against rogue states, selling arms to Iran and Syria and blocking tough action against Sudan's murderous policies in Darfur.

Hypocritically professing disdain for effective sanctions in favour of diplomacy to thwart Iran's nuclear program, Putin applies trade and energy sanctions against tiny Georgia with which he has disputes.

And his assertion of claims to the oil and mineral-rich Arctic Ocean are of particular concern to Canada.

Eastern European nations, whose freedom was so applauded by Canada, are justifiably worried. Their departure from the Russian empire and the example of genuine democracy they provide Russians are anathema to Putin.

But the law of unintended consequences comes into play. When Europe thought the Soviet threat had evaporated and the American umbrella was no longer needed, some ugly anti-Americanism crawled out of the woodwork. With Russia reverting to Soviet type, many Europeans are rediscovering the U.S.A. isn't so bad after all.

That awareness should help keep Putin and company in check.

Putin's power raises alarm bells

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China-Russia military cooperation
December 6, 2007

After the fall of the erstwhile Soviet Union, U.S.A emerged as the sole superpower of the world. With depleted economic and military power, Russia was not in a position to challenge the newly acquired supremacy of America. Like any other prudent and ambitious superpower, America took the advantage of imbalance of power in the international arena and made elaborate plan to make foray into the news areas of interest and consolidate the existing strongholds to expand its sphere of influence. It focused on East European nations and the former Soviet Republics. Though much smaller and weaker in size and power, Russia was still a significant country having the power to alter the balance of power in the region. Knowing this fact, America moved quickly to forge deep economic and military relations with the former WARSAW pact nations and Soviet Republics. Another objective of America's quick move to forge strategic level relations with the former Soviet satellite nations was to de-nuclearise them and utilize the enormous energy reserve of the central Asian nations.

Russia, in the mean time, was trying to cope with the new situation emerged due to adopting capitalism and democracy as the system of government. But the strategic thinkers of the country were aware of the American strategic game plan near the Russian border and East Europe. They soon advanced to China for help. China, on the other hand, with over 1 billion people was finding avenues to elevate itself to the level of a superpower. So, the Chinese leaders viewed the Russian offer for deeper military and economic relations favourably. The two countries signed various economic and military agreements in the meantime. Russia found a willing partner, which was also looking for gaining power to offset the American influence in East Europe, and particularly in central Asia, Korean peninsula, and China Sea. The cooperation between the two giants commenced in a majestic fashion to counter, according to them, American hegemony.

China needed new and more modern training and technology to upgrade various units of its military. Observing closely the gulf war, China realized the need for a smaller, faster and more flexible military to win a regional war. So, they sought to replace the old military thinking with a new and more sophisticated one. They proceeded to buy modern jet fighters from the Russian air force to replace its ageing fleets of F-7s and A-5s. With a view to modernize the air force they procured SU-27, SU-30, and ordered for SU-34 ground attack bombers from Russia. It won't be irrelevant to mention that Russia needed these big-ticket orders to sustain its own military industry. So, the agreements were signed pretty quickly. China got these planes along with production facilities. The Russian experts trained the Chinese technicians and pilots to operate these highly sophisticated jet fighters.

China and Russia expanded their cooperation in naval sector too. Chinese dilapidated Luhu and Jiangwei class frigates were completely unsuitable for a navy that aspired to be a blue water navy within a few decades. So, they ordered for highly advanced nuclear missile guided Sovremenny class destroyers. They bought a few units to bolster its navy. The area of naval cooperation was further expanded to modernize Chinese antiquated submarine fleets. China procured quite a few Kilo class diesel electric submarines armed with lethal torpedoes. They also proceeded to upgrade the existing Song and Ming class submarines with borrowed French electronic equipments and combat management systems.

Due to geo-strategic reasons, China could hardly overlook the need of the ground forces. They advanced to the Russians for modern technologies to produce better APCs(Armoured Personnel Carriers), Tanks, MBRLs(Multi barrel Rocket Launchers), IFVs(Infantry Fighting Vehicles), and air defense systems. Russia proved to be a willing partner up to this point and did not hesitate to sell military hardware as per Chinese demand.

But historically, the relationship between China and Russia saw many ups and downs. The erstwhile Soviet Union forcefully occupied millions of kilometers of land from China in the past. They fought a bitter division level war in 1969 over disputed land along the Sino-Soviet borders. Though they have signed border agreements in 1991 and 2004 to resolve the land disputes amicably, a sizeable portion of the border is still not properly demarcated. Keeping in view of this fact, the Russians are not interested to see a China powerful enough to alter the balance of power in the region. The recent anti satellite missile test by China rang an alarm bell in Russia too. America was pretty vocal against such missile test, Russia, on the other hand, doubted the intention of the Chinese military modernization. The Russian strategic planners want a submissive partner in the strategic game against America that they will be able to use as a pawn to counter America. China, on the other hand, wants to emerge as an independent superpower to grab its share in the international political arena. A clear conflict of interest has surfaced that may impede the ongoing military cooperation between the two giant neighbours. Besides, Russia also has to take into account the concerns of America. In the recent time, the American policymakers have adopted an aggressive strategic policy to calm down Russia, which is selling arms to anti-American nations to expand its sphere of influence and make healthy profit to sustain and modernize its defense industry.

It can be noted that the Bush administration has taken a bold strategic initiative to install missile defense systems in some European and central Asian countries. The Russian military experts view this move as detrimental to the nation's security and an element with potential to alter the balance of power in the world.

Due to the above reasons, we have seen reluctance in the Russia government to provide more modern military hardware to China. One more thing that needs attention is that, China is aggressively pursuing its own plan to build a modern self-reliant defense industry that requires technology from a trusted source. It just doesn't want to be a mere purchaser of high tech military weapons any more. It wants unprecedented level of access to Russian most modern military technology. But how far the Russians will be willing to entertain Chinese wishes will remain to be seen.

China-Russia military cooperation

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Putin Reportedly Supporting First Deputy PM Medvedev as Presidential Candidate

Monday , December 10, 2007

MOSCOW —
President Vladimir Putin on Monday expressed support for First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to run for president, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

There have been months of intense speculation on whom Putin saw as his likely successor in the March 2 voting, along with the wider question of what Putin himself will do once he steps down.

Putin's popularity and steely control is so strong that most observers expect that whomever he supports would be a shoo-in.

Putin had long been seen as trying to choose between Medvedev, a business-friendly lawyer and board chairman of state natural gas giant Gazprom, and Sergei Ivanov, another first deputy premier who built up a stern and hawkish reputation while defense minister.

Although Putin is banned by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term in office, he has indicated a strong desire to remain a significant power figure. He has raised the prospect of becoming prime minister, and his supporters have called for him to become a "national leader" with unspecified authority.

Putin made the statement in a meeting with representatives of the United Russia party — which is his power base and dominates parliament — and of three other parties. The parties told Putin they all supported Medvedev.

"I completely and fully support this proposal," Putin said, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.

The Russian stock market surged on the news, led not only by Gazprom shares but also apparently boosted by the end of long uncertainty over whom Putin would designate as successor.

Putin Reportedly Supporting First Deputy PM Medvedev as Presidential Candidate

[Shammu]

Moscow pushing for follow-up Mideast peace summit in April
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
11/12/2007     

The United States supports the holding of a second peace conference in Moscow that would address Israel's conflicts with Syria and Lebanon as well as the Palestinian issue, according to information obtained by the Foreign Ministry from Russian sources in recent days.

Nevertheless, government sources in Jerusalem said they have some doubts about the Russian claim, as they have received contradictory reports from Washington. They added that they expect the situation to become clearer at next week's meeting of donor nations to the Palestinian Authority, as representatives of the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers - the U.S., European Union, United Nations and Russia - will meet on the sidelines to discuss whether to hold a Moscow conference and if so, when and in what format.

According to the Foreign Ministry's information, obtained from conversations with Russian diplomats in both Moscow and UN headquarters in New York, the conference would probably take place in April 2008 and would be at the level of foreign ministers.

Last month's Middle East peace summit, held in Annapolis, Maryland, focused almost exclusively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Russia had expressed interest in hosting a follow-up event that would broaden the agenda. Thus far, no member of the Quartet has publicly voiced opposition to Russia's proposal.

The Russian diplomats assured their Israeli counterparts that the proposed Moscow event, like Annapolis, would be billed as a "meeting" rather than a "conference." They also said that its purpose would not be to finalize agreements, but merely to move the Middle East peace process forward.

According to the information reaching Jerusalem, the Russians would like to divide the event into two sessions. The first would be devoted to assessing the progress of bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, while the second would deal with the issue of a comprehensive regional peace, with particular emphasis on resumption of negotiations between Israel and Syria, and the launching of Israeli-Lebanese talks.

According to the Russians, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice approves of both the proposed Moscow meeting and the idea of restarting Israeli-Syrian talks.

Jerusalem also supports plan

The Russians' impression is that Israel, too, looks favorably on both the meeting and the Syrian focus. Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two discussed the idea.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who heads the Israeli team negotiating with the PA, met with her Palestinian counterpart, Ahmed Qureia, on Monday in order to finalize the agenda for a meeting of the full negotiating teams, which is slated to take place Tuesday in Jerusalem. "The first meeting of the negotiating teams will deal mainly with procedure and technical arrangements," said an Israeli government source.

PA threatens to boycott

But Palestinian sources threatened Monday that the PA would boycott the session if Israel did not stop construction of 307 apartments in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa.

In addition, the diplomatic-security cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip. Various defense agencies will present reviews of the situation, and a senior government official said the main focus will be on the defense establishment's views about launching a major military operation against Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza.

"The last [security] cabinet meeting dealt with civilian sanctions, because then, the defense establishment said that it did not support a large military operation in Gaza," the official said. "Since then, there has been a shift in its position, and therefore, cabinet ministers need to hear about this first-hand."

Moscow pushing for follow-up Mideast peace summit in April

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Medvedev: Putin should be prime minister

By MIKE ECKEL, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 20 minutes ago

MOSCOW - The man tapped by President Vladimir Putin as his successor called Tuesday for the popular president to return as prime minister after the March 2 election — a shuffling of Kremlin duties that would keep the main levers of power in Putin's hands.

The brief announcement by Dmitry Medvedev, almost certainly approved in advance by Putin, was the second major development from the Kremlin in as many days. On Monday, Putin endorsed Medvedev for president.

In this way, Putin and his longtime aide appear to answer a question that has long been the subject of conjecture and anxiety: whether the two-term president would relinquish power, and if so to whom.

The emerging scenario — one that Putin himself hinted at months ago — would see the popular president wielding considerable and possibly ultimate power from a beefed-up prime minister's position. Putin, who took over from Boris Yeltsin about eight years ago, is barred by the constitution from a third consecutive term.

In a three-minute televised speech, Medvedev said Putin "prevented the collapse of the economy and social sphere in our country, a course that prevented civil war."

It was vital to retain Putin's team, he said.

"Therefore, I think that is principally important for our country that we keep in the most important post in government — the position of chairman of the Russian government — Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin," he said.

"Having expressed my readiness to run for president of Russia, I appeal to him with a request to give his principal agreement to head the Russian government after the election of the new president of our country," Medvedev said.

Putin clearly wants to retain a powerful role once he steps down. Medvedev's proposal would provide such a role, especially if the constitution is amended to increase the prime minister's powers — which could be done readily with the new parliament dominated by pro-Putin politicians.

Putin's support virtually ensures that Medvedev would win the presidency, and Putin's enormous influence with parliament, where his party controls 70 percent of the seats, ensures he could become prime minister if he chose.

At a Kremlin meeting with Yevgeny Primakov, an influential Yeltsin-era prime minister who now heads the Russian Chamber of Commerce, Putin made no reference to his anointed successor or the possibility of becoming prime minister.

Medvedev's announcement suggested that he would essentially serve as a figurehead controlled by Putin.

The 42-year-old lawyer from St. Petersburg projects a milder and more sympathetic image than the steely and occasionally bitingly sarcastic Putin. Medvedev's comments Tuesday, though, echoed Putin's often-expressed national pride and distrust of the West.

"The world's attitudes toward Russia have been changed," Medvedev said. "They don't lecture us like schoolchildren. They respect us and they reckon with us. Russia has been returned to its overpowering position in the world community."

Medvedev, currently a first deputy prime minister, also praised efforts under Putin to restore Russia's armed forces after years of post-Soviet neglect and underfunding.

"Our military defense and security have been increased," he said.

Unlike some of his powerful colleagues in the Kremlin, Medvedev is not a veteran of the KGB or other Russian security services. He has never run for elected office, and has spent most of his working life as Putin's aide.

While the Kremlin has packaged Medvedev as a liberal, giving him responsibility for social programs, Medvedev's political views are unknown. He is best known as a technocrat proficient at finding creative ways to implement Putin's policies.

As president, Medvedev's duties would include directing the work of the chiefs of the Federal Security Service, and the Federal Drug Control Service. But both agencies are headed by powerful KGB veterans — Nikolai Patrushev and Viktor Cherkesov, respectively — with close ties to Putin.

With no power base of his own, Medvedev could have found it difficult to direct these figures. Putin will have no such problem.

Medvedev: Putin should be prime minister

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Pakistan test-fires medium-range missile

Tue Dec 11, 1:22 AM ET

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan's military said Tuesday it had successfully test-fired a medium-range cruise missile capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

The launch of a new version of the Hatf-VII or Babur missile, which has a range of 435 miles, was "part of a continuous process of validating the design parameters set for this weapon system," an army statement said.

It didn't disclose the site of the missile test, but said it will "consolidate Pakistan's strategic capability and strengthen national security."

The Babur missile was first test-fired in 2005, and it can hit targets deep inside India, the main rival of this Islamic nation.

Tuesday's test was witnessed by the Gen. Tariq Majid, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Committee, senior military officers, scientists and engineers.

President Pervez Musharraf congratulated the scientists and engineers and "assured them of their complete support in the development plans of all strategic projects," the statement said.

Pakistan and India — who have a history of hostile relations and have fought three wars after gaining independence from Britain in 1947 — routinely tests their short, medium and long-range missiles.

However, relations between them have improved since 2004 when they began peace talks to normalize relations and resolve their dispute over Kashmir, the main cause of bitterness between them.

Pakistan test-fires medium-range missile

[Shammu]

Putin urged to lead government after Kremlin

by Sebastian Smith 1 hour, 20 minutes ago

MOSCOW (AFP) - Months of uncertainty over Russia's future power structure ended Tuesday when President Vladimir's handpicked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, said Putin should become prime minister on quitting the Kremlin.

Medvedev, the soft-spoken technocrat endorsed by Putin to succeed him as Russian president, said Putin, 55, should switch to become head of the government after stepping down.

"I consider it of utmost importance for our country to keep Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in the highest post of executive power, the post of head of government of the Russian Federation," Medvedev said in an address on national television.

The stunning statement meant that Russia in the space of 24 hours appeared to have resolved the two biggest questions facing the country: who will win the March 2 presidential election to replace Putin, and what Putin will do on leaving office.

Putin's endorsement on Monday makes Medvedev, a 42-year-old trained lawyer and first deputy premier, all but certain to win an election in which there are no other heavyweight candidates.

Medvedev's call means Putin -- who has long said he wanted to retain an important role after leaving the Kremlin -- will likely from next year become a powerful premier.

Putin did not give his immediate reaction and no timeframe was suggested for the switch.

However the speech, in which Medvedev wore a blue suit and sat flanked by the Russian tricolor flag and an ornamental Russian crest, was clearly meant to imply that the proposal was official policy.

"If Medvedev announced it, then the likelihood is that it will take place," Kremlin-connected analyst Vyacheslav Nikonov told the Interfax news agency.

The world has been kept waiting for months to know who will replace Putin at the head of the nuclear missile power and world's biggest energy exporter.

No major political figures have expressed an ambition to run for president in 2008. Even Medvedev had been silent on the issue until his surprise endorsement on Monday.

The sudden rise of Medvedev, seen as a relative liberal in the hawkish Kremlin, was welcomed by Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel.

She told Putin by phone that "Medvedev brings experience in government and business and that she assumes she would be able to work well with him if he is elected," a spokeswoman for Merkel said.

Medvedev emphasised that the goal was to maintain "continuity" to the policies of Putin, who is required by the constitution to step down at the end of his second four-year term.

Few analysts believe that Putin, who has steadily concentrated power in his hands during his eight years in the Kremlin, is ready to retire.

Earlier this month his United Russia party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections framed here as a referendum on Putin's rule, and criticised in the West as rigged.

"Everyone understands perfectly well that Putin wants to remain in power," said Yevgeny Volk, political analyst at the Moscow office of the conservative US think-tank Heritage Foundation.

It remains unclear how much authority Putin could exercise as prime minister, which under the constitution is a markedly lower rank than president.

But analysts describe Medvedev as a politically weak figure with unswerving loyalty to Putin.

As first deputy prime minister, Medvedev has for the past two years been in charge of national social projects to improve agriculture, education, health and housing.

He has had little say in foreign policy, an area Putin clearly relishes, but is not traditionally dealt with by the prime minister.

Russian newspapers said Tuesday that Medvedev's lack of a power base among the security forces faction could make him easier for Putin to control.

Putin "will be an executive adviser for the future president on an unlimited range of issues", Vremya Novostei quoted a senior official as saying.

Another Kremlin-connected analyst, Sergei Markov, told Interfax that Putin would use United Russia's huge parliamentary majority to bolster his standing as premier.

Putin and Medvedev "will de facto be a pair in which the real leader will be Putin, since the country knows Vladimir Putin better", Markov said. "Putin will control not only the parliament majority but also the security faction."

Putin urged to lead government after Kremlin