News, Prophecy and other

[Shammu]

Increase in nuclear partners under investigation
Tehran, Jan 24, IRNA


Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here on Monday that the proposed plan for increasing Iran's nuclear partners was investigated during a recent visit of Russian delegation to Iran.

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr al-Thani, Mottaki said that during a recent visit of a Russian delegation to Tehran, a plan for likely participation of China in nuclear ventures was discussed to certain extent.

Mottaki said the two sides partly discussed the possibility of increasing the partners in the project and there are yet certain other components which should be taken into consideration.

He said that China and other countries can contribute to ventures linked to Iran's nuclear activities.

On Iran's nuclear stances at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mottaki said, "We have tried to explain in different ways to IAEA Board of Governors members, the EU3, China, Russia and the NAM members that debates on research are different from discussions on the production of nuclear fuel.

"Since our research is merely scientific and academic, our friends (IAEA Board members) should not deal with the case in the Board's extraordinary session in a way that cannot be managed by either side." Referring to Iran's letter to the EU3 for return to the atmosphere of talks, Mottaki said, "We believe a friendly bridge can be built and a sort of full-fledged cooperation can be established for two main pivots of the nuclear debates, i.e. certain countries' concern over Iran's nuclear activities and restoration of Iran's legal and natural rights."
In an interview with reporters after the first round of talks with his Qatari counterpart, Mottaki termed Iran-Qatar economic relations as 'progressive' and said the two sides have reached agreement on holding the fifth session of Tehran-Doha Joint Economic Commission in near future after a lapse of one year from the fourth meeting.

Stressing the importance of energy sector for both countries, Mottaki said they should have more discussions on a mutual agreement in that connection.

He said a joint political committee is to operate at the level of the directors general to follow up the new chapters in expansion of bilateral relations.

Al-Thani for his part said, "Both parties believe that bilateral economic relations are not in line with wishes of the two countries' statesmen but based on an agreement reached between the two sides, positive practical steps should be taken for expansion of the ties." As for operation on South Pars joint gas field, Al-Thani said in that connection an agreement is at hand which takes into account the friendship between Iran and Qatar. "We can settle other issues as well," he concluded.

Increase in nuclear partners under investigation

[twobombs]

When this Iran thing is being pushed too far & fast we're in a WW before you can spell breakfast.

[nChrist]

When this Iran thing is being pushed too far & fast we're in a WW before you can spell breakfast.

Hello TwoBombs,

I think you are completely correct. However, if we are seeing the end of this age Prophecy being fulfilled by God, no man or nation will be able to delay or hasten the plan of God by even a second. Brother, I think we are really left with saying, God's Will Be Done.

The world is already a dangerous and perilous place without Iran having nuclear weapons. The statements and actions of Iran's insane President make it obvious that the world can't allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. The extinction of Israel has already been published for the world to hear. I'm thinking that a worst case scenario would be the world doing nothing and leaving Israel with the task of doing what MUST be done with Iran. Actions by Israel would represent the biggest possible insult to the Muslim World, so common sense would dictate that nations other than Israel MUST do the job.

Regardless, the world is a powder keg, and it appears that the fuse is already lit. Hard choices must be made, and it appears there are serious potential consequences with any decision made or any lack of a decision made. This should be a time of serious prayer by every Christian.

Love In Christ,
Tom

John 10:27-28 NASB  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

[twobombs]

That's the thing; if the Int. Community comes up with sanctions within the next say, 2 weeks or so, then that would be too quick; a lot of countries would veto or reject them. When the Int. Community dreams up a loooong term 'plan for peace' or something similar it would obviously grant Iran the nuclear licence, as a lot of countries are not rejecting a nuclear Iran.

It's hard; a large part of the world does not want a war in the Middle East; and other do not want to wait too long... 
It's also got to do with oil; 133 dollar per barrel has been predicted when oil export from Iran is halted.

[nChrist]

Hello TwoBombs,

Ultimately, the actions of Iran will dictate what the rest of the world will be forced or not forced to do. It should be a given that Iran will not be allowed to have nuclear weapons, so their cooperation or lack of cooperation will dictate the events that are less than months away. I personally think that U.N. resolutions and/or sanctions would be a joke at this late date. I think that Iran will be given an ultimatum and forced to comply. It really won't matter what Iran's insane President wants to do or not do - he won't have the nuclear weapons to do what he wants.

The only choice I see is that Iran will be and must be stopped, hopefully before Israel does the job themselves.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 10:16-17 NASB  However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

[Shammu]

Musharraf Says U.S. Likely Hit al-Qaida

By MATTI HUUHTANEN, Associated Press Writer Tue Jan 24, 9:33 AM ET

OSLO, Norway - Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Tuesday there were indications that al-Qaida members were killed in a U.S. airstrike near the Afghan border on Jan. 13.

"Investigations have found that there are foreigners there, that is for sure, in the general area," Musharraf said about the airstrike in the northern Pakistan village of Damadola in which at least 13 residents were killed.

"There is an indication that there were some people also, al-Qaida people, who have got killed and we need to ascertain that. I'm not 100 percent sure of that," Musharraf said, answering audience questions after a speech at the Nobel Institute in Oslo.

Pakistani government officials have said there were foreign militants in the area and that some were killed in the airstrike but they have not yet found the bodies. Intelligence officials said they believe the attack managed to kill at least four al-Qaida members who were meeting in Damadola, including a top bomb-maker.

The missile strike, which the U.S. said targeted but missed Osama bin Laden's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahri, has infuriated many Pakistanis. But Pakistani officials are still taking care to affirm their loyalty to the United States in the war on terrorism.

Musharraf told the crowd that U.S. officials had said "that they will not act against Pakistan's interests."

"But my regret is, however, these foreigners are there and we need to eliminate these foreigners," he added.

Musharraf, who was on an official three-day visit to Norway, said that Pakistan is using 80,000 troops to fight terrorism in the country, and that 700 al-Qaida members have been arrested.

Musharraf Says U.S. Likely Hit al-Qaida

[Shammu]

Afghanistan's president rules out peace talks with bin Laden

Tue Jan 24, 1:38 PM ET

KABUL (AFP) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai ruled out ever holding talks with Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who is believed to be playing a key role in an insurgency led by the ousted Taliban.

The Saudi billionaire proposed a truce to the United States in an audiotape broadcast by the Al-Jazeera satellite television network this month in which he also warned of more attacks in the "heartland" of the United States.

Washington rejected the offer, which Karzai said he would also never accept.

"It is for America if they want to make peace with him or not. But I, as a son of Afghanistan, want him before an Islamic court," Karzai said.

"I will not negotiate with him, there is no room for peace," he said at a ceremony to lay the foundations of a new madrassa, or Islamic religious school, in the capital Kabul.

Karzai said bin Laden should be made to account for atrocities blamed on the Taliban government, which was funded by and sheltered Al-Qaeda until it was removed in a US-led campaign in late 2001 for refusing to hand over bin Laden for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Bin Laden should be brought to justice for the "destruction of houses, orchards, vineyards -- the burning of the Koran (the Islamic holy book) in mosques and the murder of breast-feeding babies," the president said.

Karzai, whose government is battling an increasingly deadly insurgency led by the Taliban and other militants, said his country needed justice after decades of war, including the resistance to the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation in which 1.5 million Afghans were killed.

"We have given 1.5 million martyrs for Islam -- my country was invaded, we have freed it from the grip of infidels. But he (Bin Laden), under the name of my jihad (holy war), invaded my country. This land needs justice," he said.

In his message, authenticated by the CIA, bin Laden offered a "long-term truce" if Washington withdrew its troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Karzai, Afghanistan's first ever elected president, has repeatedly insisted it needs the long-term support of international troops to cope with the insurgency.

About 20,000 troops in a coalition led by the United States have been in the country for four years to hunt down Taliban and other militants. Nearly 10,000 NATO-led peacekeepers are also there.

The insurgency claimed about 1,600 lives last year, many of them militants.

Afghanistan was the safe haven, operational base and training centre for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda until US forces invaded.

Karzai has offered amnesty to members of the Taliban movement and other Islamic militias if their "hands are not stained with innocent people's blood".

Hundreds of former Taliban and Islamic fighters have taken up the offer, including former Taliban foreign minister Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil and the Taliban's ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef.

Afghanistan's president rules out peace talks with bin Laden

[Shammu]

Iran defends plan for Holocaust conference

Tue Jan 24, 8:28 AM ET

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran defended its plan to stage a conference questioning the Holocaust and accused British Prime Minister Tony Blair of "intolerance" for criticising the event.

"The comments by Prime Minister Tony Blair are an insult to the intelligence of people around the world," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in statement carried by the ISNA news agency Tuesday.

"For half a century, the defenders of the Holocaust have used every tribune to defend their position, and now have to listen to others."

The foreign ministry unveiled plans for the conference last week, a month after hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead described the systematic slaughter of an estimated six million Jews during World War II as a "myth".

On Monday, Blair branded the plan "shocking, ridiculous, stupid" and said Ahmadinejad "should come and see the evidence of the Holocaust himself in the countries of Europe".

But Asefi said Iran had a right to "hear all opinions" on the Holocaust "and chose the best one".

"Why are the defenders of globalisation insisting, like in the Middle Ages, on their unilateral position and for the global village to speak as one voice?" he asked.

"Sadly, blind intolerance and political interests and objectives have closed the eyes of the Holocaust defenders to the realities of the world, and they even reject the very principle of a scientific conference."

Ahmadinejad, an ultra-conservative who came to power in a surprise victory last June, has provoked international condemnation with a number of anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish remarks.

They include labelling Israel a "tumour" that should be "wiped off the map" or moved as far away as Alaska and claiming the Holocaust was a Western invention.

The foreign ministry has yet to fix a date for the event

Iran defends plan for Holocaust conference

[Shammu]

Last update - 09:26 24/01/2006            
Iranian official: UN sanctions may lead us to seal off Persian Gulf
By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent


A senior Iranian official threatened that Tehran may forcibly prevent oil export via the Straits of Hormuz if the UN imposed economic sanctions due to Iran's nuclear program, an Iranian news Web site said on Monday.

This is the first time an Iranian official makes military threats in a public statement on Tehran's recent disagreements with the West.

The news site, affiliated with the radical student movement in which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was once a member, quoted Mohammed-Nabi Rudaki, deputy chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

According to the report, Rudaki said that "if Europe does not act wisely with the Iranian nuclear portfolio and it is referred to the UN Security Council and economic or air travel restrictions are imposed unjustly, we have the power to halt oil supply to the last drop from the shores of the Persian Gulf via the Straits of Hormuz."

25% of the world's oil production passes through the Straits of Hormuz, which connect the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean. The meaning of Rudaki's threat is that not only will Tehran stop its oil production from reaching the West, it may also use force to prevent the other oil prodoucers in the region (the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait) from exporting to the West.

Raduki also warned that his country might quit from its membership in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iranian official: UN sanctions may lead us to seal off Persian Gulf

[Shammu]

Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment

By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer Mon Jan 23, 8:17 PM ET

VIENNA, Austria - Iran upped the ante Monday in its nuclear standoff, warning that it will immediately begin developing a full-scale uranium enrichment program if it is referred to the U.N. Security Council.

The message, delivered by Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh, Iran's senior envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, reflected Tehran's defiance in the face of growing international pressure over its nuclear program. Enrichment can be used in electricity production but it is also a pathway to making nuclear weapons.

Negotiations intensified ahead of a Feb. 2 meeting of the IAEA's 35-nation board to decide on referral.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, planned to travel to Moscow on Tuesday to discuss a proposal to have Iran's uranium enriched in Russia, then returned to Iran for use in the country's reactors — a compromise that would provide more oversight and ease tensions.

A European official said the two sides would discuss the possibility of allowing Iran to conduct small-scale experimental enrichment itself if it agreed to move all industrial production to Russia.

The official, who demanded anonymity in exchange for discussing confidential details of the negotiations, refused to say whether Britain, France and Germany — the key European nations behind the U.S.-supported push for referral — would tolerate such a deal.

Those European nations and EU representatives also intensified diplomatic efforts, with diplomats telling the AP they were sending senior representatives to Brazil, Russia, China and Indonesia to persuade the key IAEA board members to drop their opposition to referral.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday called for a step-by-step diplomatic approach in the standoff, saying she wants "the largest majority possible" for whatever course of action is decided upon by the IAEA.

While the Europeans believe they have enough votes to get Iran hauled before the council Feb. 2, they want broad support, including from key developing countries as well as skeptics Russia and China.

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "referral absolutely has to be made" on Feb. 2, while remaining vague on what action the Security Council would take — and when.

Iran removed IAEA seals from equipment Jan. 10 and announced it would restart experiments, including what it described as small-scale enrichment — a move that led the European negotiators to call for the Feb. 2 emergency board session.

The Europeans also began drafting a resolution calling for the Security Council to press Tehran to re-impose its freeze on enrichment and fully cooperate with the U.N. agency in its investigation of suspect nuclear activities — though it stops short of asking for sanctions.

Soltaniyeh, in comments to The Associated Press, warned against referral, suggesting such a "hasty decision" would backfire.

Whether Iran's suspension of its full-scale enrichment program remains in effect "depends on the decision of Feb. 2," he said. If the board votes for referral, he said, Iran would resume efforts to fully develop its nascent enrichment activities.

Iran insists its nuclear ambitions do not go beyond wanting to generate fuel, but concerns are growing that its focus is on making nuclear weapons.

An exchange of letters, made available to the AP Monday, reflected differences over Iran between IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei and the United States, Britain, France and Australia — other key supporters of referral.

In a letter dated Friday, Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. representative to the IAEA, asked ElBaradei to prepare a report on the "status of IAEA efforts to investigate indications of an Iranian nuclear weapons program." Similar letters from the other countries were dated Thursday and Monday.

In a reply Monday, ElBaradei wrote that a detailed report would only be available in March, the next scheduled meeting of the IAEA board. Instead, ElBaradei — who had argued against the special Feb.2 meeting saying he needed until March to probe Iran's nuclear program — offered an "update brief" for the Feb. 2 meeting.

Separately, Merkel, speaking at a news conference with President Jacques Chirac, defended the French leader's threat last week that France might use its nuclear weapons against state-sponsored terrorism or to thwart an attack involving weapons of mass destruction — comments that drew criticism from elsewhere in Europe and from Iran.

"We know that France is a country with nuclear capabilities, capabilities that exist exclusively for deterrence and, for me, there are no grounds there for criticism," she said.

Chirac said he had simply delivered a reminder of France's nuclear doctrine.

"The nature of the threat, the defintion of a country's vital interests, and thus the very nature of the response that might be employed, evolves with time," he said.

Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment

[Shammu]

 Iran, Russia review expansion of nuclear cooperation
Moscow, Jan 24, IRNA

Iran-Russia-Nuclear
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani conferred here Tuesday with the Secretary of Russia's National Security Council Igor Ivanov on expansion of mutual relations, international issues as well as nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

At the meeting, the Russian official highlighted the importance of current cooperation between the two countries and its impact on the stability and security of the region and expressed his country's interest in continuing talks with Iran on these issues.

Given significant role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region, he underlined the need for talks on issues pertaining to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine.

He called for further negotiations on expansion of mutual cooperation as well as peaceful nuclear cooperation between Iran and Russia.

Referring to the previous visit of Igor Ivanov to Iran, Larijani said the current visit has led to expansion of sincere ties between the two countries.

He expressed the hope that the two sides would adopt identical stands on regional and international issues leading to promotion of stability and security of the region.

Talks between the two sides officials continued behind closed doors.

Larijani and his entourage arrived in Moscow Tuesday morning to hold talks with his Russian counterpart.

The visit is taking place within the framework of official exchange of visits by officials of the two countries and at the invitation of Ivanov.

Ivanov last visited Iran in November.

Iran, Russia review expansion of nuclear cooperation

[Shammu]

 Iran, Russia share identical stance on regional security
Tehran, Jan 24, IRNA

Iran-Safari-Russia
A statement issued by the Russian Embassy here on Tuesday on the visit of Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari to Russia said that Iran and Russia share identical stance on regional security.

The statement, a copy of which was made available to IRNA, referred to Safari's talks with his Russian counterpart, Alexander Alexiev and said that during their meeting, both officials reiterated the need to expand mutual ties, particularly in the economic and trade sectors.

"Given their identical stance on major regional security issues such as counteracting international terrorist threats and illegal drug trafficking, Safari and Alexiev agreed to continue further effective talks on the subjects of bilateral concern.

"Talks between the two officials took place in an atmosphere dominated by attempts towards constructive collaboration on mutual, regional and international levels," added the statement.

Safari arrived in Moscow on Monday and conferred with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his deputy.

Iran, Russia share identical stance on regional security

[Shammu]

With these last 5 posts speak volumes. Sooner or later, the world will have to deal with Iran. Are seeing the end of this age Prophecy being fulfilled by God? Only one person knows for sure, and he's not talking except through Prophecy. The only thing I can say, brothers, and sister...............

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

[Soldier4Christ]

Old City Walls Could Collapse
Large sections of the 16th century walls surrounding Jerusalem’s Old City are in danger of collapse unless they undergo immediate restoration, according to an engineering survey conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority. The work is expected to cost $12 million.

The survey found that 380 meters (415 yards), or one-tenth of the city walls, are structurally weak. Most of the 11 sections of wall in need of attention are located along the Moslem and Jewish Quarters. Built by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent between 1536-1541, the Old City walls stretch for 2.3 miles (3.8 km.).

One especially problematic area borders the southern supporting wall of the Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism. This worries Israeli officials because the mount is home to the Mosque of Al Aksa, the third holiest place in Islam. Should the mosque collapse, the Islamic world would no doubt blame Israel and possibly launch a holy war.

[2nd Timothy]

With these last 5 posts speak volumes. Sooner or later, the world will have to deal with Iran. Are seeing the end of this age Prophecy being fulfilled by God? Only one person knows for sure, and he's not talking except through Prophecy. The only thing I can say, brothers, and sister...............

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

I'd say He is talking loud and clear brother! 





Oh, I found an easy way to remember how to pronounce the Iranian leaders name.

Ahmadinjead = Imagine-A-Dud