News, Prophecy and other

[Shammu]

Iran can help restore Middle East peace
Kuwait City, April 17, IRNA

Iran-Kuwait-Regional Peace
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah said here Monday that "We believe that the Islamic Republic of Iran can help restore peace in the Middle East and in Iraq in particular."
The Kuwaiti Emir made the remark in a meeting with the Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who is now on a three-day official visit to the country.

Referring to Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, he said, "We believe that the country pursues peaceful goals in its nuclear program but it should win the trust of the international community.

"We expect that the Islamic Republic of Iran to give necessary assurance to the countries in the region about its peaceful nuclear activities to remove any concern on the probable spread of radioactive contamination."
He described the current level of trade exchanges between the two countries as unsatisfactory and called on the officials help enhance this level.

Describing the transfer of gas and potable water from Iran to Kuwait as very significant project, the Emir vowed to pursue the issue in the near future.

On the two sides dispute over the gas field on the continental shelf, he expressed the hope that the two sides' experts will reach fruitful outcome to this effect.

The chairman of Iran's Expediency Council, for his part, expressed the hope that during the new leadership of Kuwaiti Emir, the two sides would ink suitable agreements on the continental shelf.

Implementation of gas and potable water projects is of prime importance for the both countries, he said and expressed the hope to witness swift implementation of such plans.

Referring to the Iraq's development along with Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to declare its stance to the Arab states and countries in the region on Iraq's development as well as the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

"We expect our neighbors mainly Kuwait to assist Iran to restore peace and security in Iraq," he said.

Restoration of tranquility, security, peace in Iraq as well as its territorial integrity is of prime importance for the entire region, he said.

On concerns of regional countries about probable radioactive contamination from Iran's nuclear activities, he said Tehran has spent huge amounts to observe international standards in the construction of Bushehr nuclear power plant and the plant has maintained the highest standard level in terms of safety in the world.

Bushehr nuclear power plant has been constructed in one of Iran's densely populated areas which seeks to observe high standards, he underlined.

"We fully abide by IAEA rules and regulations as well as NPT protocol which is regarded as the best guarantee for our safe and sound nuclear activities," he said.

"We expect the countries in the region mainly Kuwait to have a positive outlook on our peaceful nuclear activities and back the country's activities and in case there would be any ambiguity, Tehran is fully ready to remove them all," he said.

The EC chairman arrived in Kuwait Sunday on an official three-day visit in response to an invitation by Sheikh al-Sabah.


Iran can help restore Middle East peace

[Shammu]

Iran expects world Muslims to support its nuclear stand
Kuwait City, April 17, IRNA

Iran-Kuwait-Rafsanjani
Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani inspected on Monday Babatin cultural center where he delivered a speech for Kuwaiti university professors and academics.

In his speech, the Expediency Council chairman made it clear that the issue of Palestine is an Islamic issue and not an Arab one.

It is a mistake to regard the issue of Palestine as a nationalist issue but one concerning Islamic identity, he said.

The Islamic countries should take much more serious stances in dealing with the issue of Palestine and the country's occupation by the Zionist regime, he pointed out.

Referring to Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, he said Iran's peaceful nuclear activities is very transparent and there is no secrecy or deviation in it, he underlined.

IAEA inspectors have thoroughly inspected Iran's nuclear installations, he said adding "well wishers have no doubt about peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities but our enemies have politicized it," he said.

"We expect the world Muslims to support Iran's stance and to this end our expectations from scientists and academics is higher than our expectations from others," he said.

The EC chairman arrived in Kuwait Sunday on an official three-day meeting in response to the invitation of Sheikh Al-Sabah.

Iran expects world Muslims to support its nuclear stand

[Shammu]

 Iran does not intend to attack any country - Zarif
New York, April 17, IRNA

Iran-Zarif-Interview
Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations said, "Iran's position is very clear: We don't intend to attack any country. We've never done that in the past, we'll never do it in the future."
Zarif made the remark in an interview to be published in the April 24 issue of the News Week, a short summary of which was posted on the website.

"Newsweek's Beith: What are your feelings about President Ahmadinejad's tough position?
"Zarif: We made it very clear that there are two fundamental concepts. One is that Iran has inalienable rights under the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and respect for these rights both for Iran as well as any other country that is a member of the NPT is imperative for the authority and integrity of the treaty.

"The second aspect of our position has been that Iran wants to exercise its rights in an atmosphere of tranquillity where there is no concern about any proliferation suspicions, and for that we have been and are prepared to negotiate in order to allay any concerns.

"Meanwhile, uranium enrichment continues. Are you sending a contradictory message?
"No, because we have said that Iran will not respond well to pressure.

"A suspension of the uranium-enrichment program was in place for over two years. That would have provided the necessary time to reach a politically acceptable negotiated solution. So we need to find out:
"What is that missing link that prevented a negotiated solution?" I would submit that the missing link is the necessary political will, combined with a mentality that through pressure imposition and intimidation, political results can be achieved.

"Is Iran more amenable to working with Russia and China, rather than the United States, to come to an agreement?
"We are open to working with everybody. If you have a more reasonable and realistic approach to the resolution of this problem then you have a better chance of success. Until now, the positions offered by Russia and China have been more conducive to a successful outcome.

"Iranian nuclear chief Gholamreza Aqazadeh recently said that Iran would be willing to give the West a share in enrichment facilities in order to ease concerns that it was being used for military purposes.

"Yes. One of the possibilities presented by Iran was to create a regional consortium so that various countries could have a share both in ownership and operation of the facility. It would be a consortium, jointly owned and operated. But every proposal that has been on the table has failed to receive any serious consideration.

"Is Iran willing to risk sanctions?
"Iran does not want to invite sanctions. We're not seeking confrontation. But at the same time the prospect of Iran accepting an imposition because that carries with it some sticks is not a prospect that is appealing to the Iranian population.

"How would Iran respond to a military strike?
"I don't think Iran should respond to it. I think what is being talked about in Washington is a threat to the international community as a whole and a threat to the rule of law. We live in the 21st century, we have a body of international law that prohibits the threat of wars? Not even the use of wars but the threat of wars? and the United States continues to live in the 19th century. Somebody must remind President Bush that it's an outdated statement to say that "all options are on the table."
"Ahmadinejad has made threats to Israel?
"No, the Iranian president has never made any threats against any other country. In fact, Iran has been on the receiving side of threats from Israel which go back long before President Ahmadinejad ran for office.

"He's said Israel should be "wiped off the map."
"The rhetoric that is used by the U.S. administration as well as Israeli officials against Iran is by far more fiery and more provocative than any statement that has come out of Iran. Iran's position is very clear: We don't intend to attack any country. We've never done that in the past, we'll never do it in the future. I wonder whether Israel or the United States can make that statement.

"If Iran doesn't intend to make weapons, is it that important to be a nuclear power?
"Iran doesn't want to have weapons. We believe that those who possess nuclear weapons lack the necessary logic to understand that being able to destroy this planet is simply ridiculous and inhuman.

"We believe Iran has the right to any technology. That is different from even attempting to possess a weapon that we consider to be illegal for everybody and illegitimate."

Iran does not intend to attack any country

My Note; May I suggest these fools read the Bible.

[Shammu]

 Global arrogance unhappy with Muslims' progress: President
Tehran, April 17, IRNA

Palestine-Conference-Meet
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Sunday that global arrogance aims to exert dominance over Islamic states and would not be happy seeing Muslim states achieve progress and dignity.

The president's remarks were made at a meeting with the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid on the sidelines of the Third International Conference on Qods and Support for the Rights of Palestinian People which wrapped its work here on Sunday.

Ahmadinejad said the battle against imperialistic and hegemonic policies is the most important issue of Muslims and all independent- minded nations, and added that colonial powers use human rights and democracy as a pretext to impose pressures on independent countries.

"The double-standard and discriminatory policies of certain big powers towards independent states and regimes under their control show their arrogance and reveal their intentions to vigilant and free peoples," he added.

He stressed the importance of reinforcing unity among Islamic countries and warned that the "survival of the Zionist regime depends on discord and differences among Muslim countries.

"Islamic states should neutralize the enemies' political, economic and cultural plots through their vigilance."
Speaking of Iran's recent nuclear success, the president assured that the "Islamic world has all the financial and human resources for development in all fields."
"Development of each Islamic world is tantamount to progress and victory for all Muslims," he added.

Ahmadinejad noted that "Iran and Indonesia, as two big Islamic states, can play a fundamental role in promoting the Islamic world." The Indonesian parliamentary speaker, for his part, congratulated the Iranian government and nation for having joined the world's nuclear club with their success in completing the nuclear fuel cycle.

He called on Muslims to reinforce their unity and lay the groundwork for closer cooperation.

Global arrogance unhappy with Muslims' progress

[Shammu]

 Iran ready to share technology with poor states: President
Tehran, April 17, IRNA

Palestine-Conference-Meet
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared here Sunday that Iran was ready to share its experiences and technology with poor peoples of the world which it had always supported.

The president's remarks were made at a meeting with Madagascar's Parliament Speaker Rakotomaharo Rajemison on the sidelines of the Third International Conference on Qods and Support for the Rights of the Palestinian People which wrapped up its work here Sunday evening.

Ahmadinejad said the progress attained by the Iranian nation was the result of its policies of independence and self-reliance.

"The enemies of the Iranian people and certain big powers are angered over this independence and dignity. (But) they cannot inflict damage on the great Iranian people because they know that if they do a damn thing they can expect Iran's strong response," he said.

If Third World countries reinforce their unity and coherence and their governments rely on their domestic potentials they can achieve success and victory, Ahmadinejad added.

Rajemison, for his part, congratulated the Iranian government and nation for their success in perfecting the technology to enrich uranium.

He said Third World countries laud Iran's progress and access to modern technology because these will be used to serve humanity.

Iran ready to share technology with poor states

[Soldier4Christ]

Kentucky goes P.C. on B.C., A.D.
State board recommends textbooks include secular dating abbreviations


The Kentucky State Board of Education has recommended textbooks in the state include the secular dating abbreviations of B.C.E. and C.E. alongside the traditional Christian-based B.C. and A.D.

B.C.E., or Before Common Era, and C.E., for Common Era, have become popular among academics and some historians, largely because B.C., or Before Christ, and A.D., Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord, are based on Christianity.

According to a report in the Lexington Herald-Leader, one member of the Kentucky panel, David Webb, attempted to pass an amendment that would prevent the inclusion of the new terms, but the majority of board members voted against it last week.

"Dates throughout history have been referred to as B.C. and A.D.," Webb, who abstained from the curriculum vote, told the local paper. "It's also some degree of a faith-based issue. Especially this Easter season, I thought it was inappropriate for us to reference this."

The Kentucky recommendation proposes the use in textbooks of both designations, so a reference, for example, might be notated 700 B.C./B.C.E.

"I would want my child to have familiarity with both terms," board member Hilma Prather is quoted as saying. "I could not vote for the deletion of one or the other; I would like the inclusion of both."

Anissa Willis, a Lexington, Ky., parent, told the Louisville Courier-Journal using C.E. and B.C.E. is "more in keeping with academia."

"That seems appropriate to me, and it's also much more universally recognized," said Willis, an Episcopal priest.

The recommendation now has to go through a public hearing process. It could go into effect as soon as the 2006-2007 school year.

Martin Cothran, senior policy analyst with the Family Foundation of Kentucky, opposes the recommendation.

"Not only will this lead to confusion on the part of the students, but this is a not-so-subtle way of hiding the substantial influence of religion in the history of Western civilization," Cothran told the Louisville paper. "Our schools should not be in the business of hiding things from students; they should be in the business of revealing things to them."

The American Family Association yesterday sent an e-mail alert to its supporters about the issue.

"[The action] opens the door for the ACLU to find a liberal activist judge who will forcefully remove the use of B.C. and A.D.," warned the traditional-values group. "The ACLU types will claim that the use of B.C. and A.D. are a violation of the First Amendment because it dates history based on the birth of Christ."

AFA has an online poll asking Americans if they agree with replacing the traditional dating convention.

As WorldNetDaily reported, last year Australia's Department of Education changed its policy to use B.C.E. and C.E., and, in 2002, the Canadian museum displaying an ancient box purported to be the ossuary of Jesus' brother James dumped the designations of B.C. and A.D. to mark the calendar, opting instead for the more "modern and palatable" terms of B.C.E. and C.E.

[Soldier4Christ]

Iran: Aggressor's Hand Will Be 'Cut Off'


(AP) Accompanied by Iran's armed forces commanders, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, center, reviews army...
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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that Iran would "cut off the hand of any aggressor" and insisted Tuesday the country's military must be prepared amid escalating tensions with the international community over its disputed nuclear program.

The defiant stance came hours before a meeting in Moscow of senior diplomats from the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany to discuss the issue and less than two weeks before a council deadline for Iran to stop uranium enrichment.

"Today, you are among the world's most powerful armies because you rely on God," Ahmadinejad declared at a parade to commemorate Army Day.

"Iran's enemies know your courage, faith and commitment to Islam and the land of Iran has created a powerful army that can powerfully defend the political borders and the integrity of the Iranian nation and cut off the hand of any aggressor and place the sign of disgrace on their forehead," Ahmadinejad said.

The United States, Britain, Japan, Israel, France and Germany have accused Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear weapons. Iran has maintained its right to enrich uranium and says it is only building nuclear facilities to generate electricity.

President Bush said Tuesday that "all options are on the table" to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons but said he would continue to focus on the international diplomatic option to persuade Tehran to drop its nuclear ambitions.

"We want to solve this issue diplomatically and we're working hard to do so," Bush told reporters in the Rose Garden.

Bush also said there should be a unified effort involving countries "who recognize the danger of Iran having a nuclear weapon," and he noted that U.S. officials are working closely nations such as Great Britain, France and Germany on the issue."

Bush was asked if his administration was planning for the possibility of a nuclear strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.

"All options are on the table," he said.

Ahmadinejad said Iran's army "has to be constantly ready, equipped and powerful. It has to be equipped with the latest technologies, recognize the enemy and constantly be vigilant." He spoke to military officers before a parade of the armed forces in southern Tehran.

While threatening possible aggressors, Ahmadinejad said Iran's army would "serve peace and security for mankind especially the region and its neighbors."

The "power of our army will be no threat to any country. Our army carries the message of peace and security... . It is humble toward friends and a shooting star toward enemies," he said.

The president's speech and the military parade were broadcast live on state-run Iranian television. Foreign military attaches were present.

The parade provided another opportunity for Iran to show off its military equipment, including missiles that are difficult to track with radar, super-fast torpedoes recently tested in war games, and other domestically produced weapons.

The radar-avoiding missiles, 705-pound bombs, high-speed torpedoes, tanks and other armament were carried on trucks.

Among the weapons tested in the war games and displayed Tuesday was the Fajr-3, a missile that can avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads, and a high-speed torpedo designed to sink war ships.

The United States has said Iran may have made "some strides" in its military but was likely exaggerating its capabilities.

Iran launched an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.

Iran's regular army is separate from the elite Revolutionary Guards that make up the backbone of the ruling Islamic establishment.

Ahmadinejad has been increasingly defiant and made several high-profile threatening statements since announcing last Tuesday that Iran has successfully enriched uranium using 164 centrifuges, a significant step toward the large-scale production of a material that can be used to fuel nuclear reactors for generating electricity - or to build atomic bombs.

[Shammu]

Iran vows to ignore world pressure
Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:28am ET14

By Edmund Blair

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran told world powers on Tuesday it would pursue its right to develop nuclear technology, whatever they decide at a meeting in Moscow later in the day.

The United States, which accuses Iran of seeking atom bombs, was expected to push for targeted sanctions against Tehran when it meets the U.N. Security Council's other permanent members -- Britain, France, China and Russia -- plus Germany in Moscow.

Deputy foreign ministers from the six nations are meeting ahead of an end-April deadline for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to report on whether Iran is complying with United Nations demands that it halt uranium enrichment.

"I recommend that they do not make hasty decisions, be prudent and study their path in the past," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said, IRNA news agency reported. "Any time they have pressured Iran they have got adverse results."

Hamid Reza Asefi later told state television: "Whatever the result of this meeting might be, Iran will not abandon its rights (to nuclear technology)."

Iran defied U.N. demands by declaring last week it had enriched uranium to a level used in power stations and was aiming for industrial-scale production, ratcheting up tensions and sending oil prices to record highs above $72 a barrel.

Washington says it wants a diplomatic solution to the crisis but has not ruled out military action. Other council members oppose the use of force. China, which like Russia is against military action and sanctions, called for restraint.

The United States, which already enforces its own sweeping sanctions on Iran, said it wanted the Security Council to be ready to take strong diplomatic action, including so-called targeted measures such as a freeze on assets and visa curbs.

"We're kind of sanctioned out at this point. We're down to pistachios and rugs," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington, adding that he did not expect major decisions to be taken at the Moscow meeting.

Washington says it does not want to embargo Iran's oil and gas industries to avoid creating hardship for the Iranian people. Iran is the world's fourth-biggest oil exporter.

CHINA, RUSSIA OPPOSE SANCTIONS

China, which sent an envoy to Iran on Friday to try to defuse the standoff, repeated a call for a negotiated solution.

"We hope all sides will maintain restraint and flexibility to create conditions favorable to an appropriate resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing.

Russia also restated its opposition punitive action. "We are convinced that neither the sanctions route nor the use of force route will lead to a solution of this problem," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

Oil market fears that the dispute could turn violent have been fueled by a report of U.S. plans for military strikes -- dismissed by President George W. Bush as "wild speculation".

North Sea Brent crude oil soared to an all-time high above $72 a barrel on Tuesday as the war of words rumbled on.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the army was ready to defend the nation, speaking at an annual parade in which battle tanks and short-range missiles were towed past.

"It will cut off the hands of any aggressors and will make any aggressor regret it," Ahmadinejad declared.

He has said Iran will not drop its right to enrich uranium for peaceful use but that it will work with the IAEA.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog says it has been unable to verify that Iran's nuclear program is purely civilian, but has found no hard proof of efforts to build atomic weapons. It says several issues about the program need clarification.

IAEA inspectors are due in Iran on Friday to visit nuclear sites, including one at Natanz where Iran says it has enriched uranium to 3.5 percent, the level used in nuclear power plants.

IRNA news agency said Olli Heinonen, ElBaradei's deputy for safeguards issues, would lead the team. One diplomat said his presence suggested Iran might provide some missing information.

Experts say it would take Iran years to produce enough highly enriched uranium for one bomb from its current 164 centrifuges. But Iran says it will to install 3,000 centrifuges, which could make enough material for a warhead in one year.

Iran says the Natanz plant will be able to house 54,000 centrifuges. It also says it is going ahead with research on P-2 centrifuges, which are faster than the P-1 versions it now uses.

Iran vows to ignore world pressure

[Shammu]

U.S. Envoy: Iran Sanctions Discussed

By HENRY MEYER, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 18, 4:34 PM ET

MOSCOW - A U.S. diplomat said Tuesday that envoys from the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany discussed sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, but failed to reach agreement on how to proceed further.

U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told The Associated Press following nearly three hours of talks that diplomats recognized the "need for a stiff response to Iran's flagrant violations of its international responsibilities."

President Bush said "all options are on the table" to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons but that he will continue to focus on diplomacy.

Burns, speaking in Moscow, said sanctions had been discussed during the meeting hosted by Russia but indicated that further talks would be needed.

"Iran's actions last week have deepened concern in the international community and all of us agreed that the actions last week were fundamentally negative and a step backward," he told AP. "So now the task for us is to agree on a way forward."

He was referring to the announcement last week by Iran's hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that the country had successfully enriched uranium for the first time.

Burns gave no specifics as to the type or timing of sanctions and he refused to say whether Russia had softened its opposition to sanctions against Iran. But he reiterated that the United States expected action in the Security Council after an April 28 deadline for Iran to stop uranium enrichment.

Ahmadinejad remained defiant, warning Tuesday that Iran will "cut off the hand of any aggressor" that threatens it and insisting that its military has to be equipped with the most modern technology.

"The land of Iran has created a powerful army that can powerfully defend the political borders," he told a parade commemorating Iran's Army Day.

The United States and some of its allies suspect Iran's nuclear program is meant to produce weapons, but Tehran insists the program is for peaceful purposes.

Ahmadinejad further complicated the debate last week by claiming his country is testing an advanced P-2 centrifuge, which could be used to more speedily create fuel for power plants or atomic weapons.

Some analysts familiar with the country's technology said he could be exaggerating Iran's capabilities, either to boost his own political support or to persuade the International Atomic Energy Agency to back off.

In Vienna, Austria, diplomats accredited to or associated with the U.N. nuclear watchdog said the claim about the centrifuges was not a surprise.

The diplomats, who demanded anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the confidential Iran file, said past IAEA reports on Iran documented evidence of purchases of components for the centrifuges. But the diplomats noted that Ahmadinejad's comments appeared at odds with Tehran's assertions that no such work had been conducted for years.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki on Monday to urge Tehran to quickly answer questions related to its nuclear bid and halt uranium enrichment, the ministry said Tuesday.

Earlier Tuesday in Washington, Bush also said there should be a unified effort involving countries "who recognize the danger of Iran having a nuclear weapon."

Before the meeting in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin reaffirmed Russia's insistence on more diplomatic efforts. "We are convinced that neither sanctions nor the use of force will lead to the solution of the problem," he said in televised comments.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tianka, China's top nonproliferation official, who also attended Tuesday's meeting in Moscow, has appealed to Iranian leaders to reach a negotiated settlement, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Russia and China, which have strong economic ties to Iran, have opposed punitive measures. Bush said he intends to ask Chinese President Hu Jintao to pressure Iran when the two leaders meet Thursday at the White House.

Britain also urged a peaceful solution to the crisis. "We hope that we'll get behind a diplomatic avenue, a system of increasing but reversible pressure which Iran will listen to," said Julian Reilly of the British Embassy in Moscow.

U.S. Envoy: Iran Sanctions Discussed

[Shammu]

Iran says any attacker will regret action
Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:26am ET14

By Alireza Ronaghi

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said during an armed forces parade on Tuesday that any aggressor would regret attacking the Islamic Republic, which is embroiled in a nuclear dispute with the West.

The president declared Iran a nuclear power last week after he said it had successfully enriched uranium to the level used in power stations. Iran insists its program is civilian despite accusations by the West that it wants atomic bombs.

The United States has said it wants a diplomatic solution to the standoff but has not ruled out military action.

"Today, Iran's army is one of the most powerful armies in the world and it will powerfully defend the country's political borders and the nation," Ahmadinejad said in a brief speech before troops and missiles took part in an annual parade.

"It will cut off the hands of any aggressors and will make any aggressor regret it," he said.

Ahmadinejad took the salute of thousands of army, navy and air force troops. Battle tanks were towed past on trucks, while helicopters and Russian-built warplanes flew in formation overhead. Parachutists sailed down from the sky.

Torpedoes and small submarines were also towed before the president, as were Nazeat 10 and Zelzal 1 missiles.

The U.S.-based Nuclear Threat Initiative security Web site says the solid-fuelled rocket Nazeat 10 missile has a range of 150 km (90 miles). It said the Zelzal 1 was also a solid-fuelled rocket with a range of 125 km (80 miles).

DEFENDING THE NATION

Iran did not show off its longest range missile, the Shahab-3, which it says can hit targets 2,000 km (1,250 miles) away, putting Israel or U.S. bases in the Gulf in range.

Iran staged war games in the Gulf this month and tested what it said was a radar-evading missile, a high-speed sonar-evading torpedo and other equipment it said the country had developed.

Analysts say much of Iran's military equipment is outdated but that its forces could still disrupt oil shipping routes in the Gulf, which they said was the message behind the man oeuvres.

Tuesday's parade was held opposite the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Nearby are tens of thousands of graves of those who died in the

1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.

"We felt mercy for our enemies during the war with Iraq ... but if we stand against America, none of our people will feel the same (about American troops)," Abdolrahim Moussavi, head of the joint chiefs of staff, said ahead of the parade.

"Our nation will defend itself with all it has got," he told state television on Monday night.

Members of the volunteer Basij militia, who see themselves as the guardians of revolutionary values, also marched by, wearing head bands with the words "Mohammad, God's Prophet."

Iran says any attacker will regret action

[Shammu]

US colonel offers Iraq an apology of sorts for devastation of Babylon

By Rupert Cornwell in Washington
17 April 2006

In an act of at least partial contrition, an officer in charge of the US military occupation of Babylon in 2003 and 2004 has offered to make a formal apology for the destruction his troops wrought on the ancient site.

Colonel John Coleman, former chief of staff for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq, said yesterday that if the head of the Iraqi antiquities board wanted an apology, "if it makes him feel good, we can certainly give him one".

For more than a millennium, Babylon was one of the great cities of antiquity. It reached its greatest glory in the early 6th century BC, as the capital of Nebuchadnezzar II, builder of the celebrated Hanging Gardens.

Babylon declined and fell into ruin after it was conquered by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in around 538BC. But no devastation seems to have matched that inflicted by US troops and their Polish allies after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

Saddam himself had not helped. He had much of the ancient site rebuilt and developed as a tourist site as part of efforts to portray himself as Nebuchadnezzar's modern successor and turn Mesopotamia once more into a regional superpower. He built a contemporary ziggurat-shaped palace nearby and carved out an underground car park among archeological deposits.

But after entering Babylon in April 2003, coalition forces turned the site into a base camp, flattening and compressing tracts of ruins as they built a helicopter pad and fuel stations. The soldiers filled sandbags with archeological fragments and dug trenches through unexcavated areas, while tanks crushed slabs of original 2,600-year-old paving.

"All of these things have combined to do a lot of damage to what is one of the most important, sensitive archeological sites in the whole world," John Curtis, curator of the British Museum's Near East department, said last year.

Col Coleman's repentance was qualified. "If it wasn't for our presence," he told the BBC, "what would the state of those archeological ruins be?" - a repeat of the US claim that had its forces not occupied ancient Babylon, the site would have been laid waste by looters.

"Is there a price for the presence? Sure there is," he declared. "I'll just say that the price, had the presence not been there, would have been far greater."

After US and Polish troops left in 2004, the first restoration plans for Babylon were drawn up. Last November Unesco, the United Nations' cultural and scientific organisation, said it would be carrying out some initial repair work, and setting up a photographic registry of the site.

The work, in which France, Britain, Poland, the US, Iraq, Japan, Italy and the Netherlands are also involved, is being co-ordinated by the German Archaeological Institute, under the direction of the Iraqi authorities and Unesco.

But Babylon is not the only point of archaeological controversy in a country with an estimated 10,000 sites. In a separate complaint, the Iraqi Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities has demanded that US troops pull out of the city of Kish, which dates back 5,000 years, accusing American forces of damaging the precious archaeological site.

It accused the soldiers of preventing anyone from entering the city to assess damage. There has been no comment from the US military.

* At least six Iraqi policeman died and up to 39 others were missing yesterday after insurgents ambushed a police convoy near a US base, officials said. Separately, a suicide car bomber outside Basra wounded four British soldiers at the Shuaiba military base, and killed at least one civilian.

Archaeological cost of invasion

* US Marines from the First Expeditionary Force first set up camp in Babylon in April 2003

* Soldiers filled protective sandbags with sand containing ancient artefacts

* 2,600-year-old pavements were crushed by heavy military vehicles

* Landing helicopters caused structural damage to some of the city's ancient buildings and sandblasted fragile bricks in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar

* Archaeologists say gravel brought in to build car parks and helipads has contaminated key sites

* US troops have also been accused of causing damage to the 5,000-year-old city of Kish by the Iraqi Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities

US colonel offers Iraq an apology of sorts for devastation of Babylon

[Shammu]

Jordan Accuses Hamas of Smuggling Weapons

By JAMAL HALABY, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 18, 6:20 PM ET

AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan accused Hamas activists of smuggling missiles and other weapons into the kingdom and said Tuesday it was canceling a planned visit of the Palestinian foreign minister — the second diplomatic snub for the Hamas-led government in a week.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar's visit to Jordan, which was planned for Wednesday, had been "put off until further notice," a Jordanian government spokesman said.

On Friday, Zahar went to Cairo, but Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said he was too busy for a meeting.

The Jordanian spokesman, Nasser Judeh, told The Associated Press that "missiles, explosives and automatic weapons were seized in the last couple of days." Hamas activists had managed to smuggle "such dangerous weapons into the country" and store them, he said.

He would not say whether the activists had been arrested.

Osama Hamadan, a spokesman for Hamas, declined to comment on Judeh's remarks, saying late Tuesday he had not seen the Jordanian statement.

In a separate statement to the official Petra news agency, Judeh said Jordanian security services had observed Hamas activists "exploring several vital (potential) targets" in the capital, Amman, and other cities. He did not elaborate.

State television quoted Judeh as saying the discovery of the arms cache proved that "Hamas is using two languages in dealing with Jordan."

Jordan, which signed a peace treaty with
Israel in 1994, maintains a tough line on militants and once expelled the current leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal, for his activities.

Jordan and Egypt have called on Hamas to accept the Arab peace plan, which entails full recognition of Israel in exchange for full withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 and 1973 Arab-Israeli wars.

Hamas refuses to recognize Israel.

Hamas officials have been flying around the Middle East to ask for aid, although it was not immediately clear whether that was the purpose of Wednesday's trip. Hamas is hoping for help to compensate for the U.S. and European Union's decisions to cut off funds to the Palestinian Authority because of the militant group's refusal to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

Jordan Accuses Hamas of Smuggling Weapons

[Shammu]

Chavez says US warships threaten Venezuela, Cuba

By Greg Brosnan Tue Apr 18, 6:43 PM ET

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - President Hugo Chavez, who accuses Washington of planning to invade Venezuela, said on Tuesday recent deployment of U.S. warships in the Caribbean Sea threatened his country and its ally Cuba.

Four U.S. warships, including an aircraft carrier, and 6,500 sailors, are in a two-month deployment in the Caribbean Sea dubbed "Partnership of the Americas" by the U.S. Navy.

"They are doing maneuvers right here," Chavez told a student meeting in the country's west. "This is a threat, not just against us, against Venezuela, against Cuba."

Chavez has repeatedly accused the United States of trying to oust him. U.S. officials say the self-styled socialist revolutionary and friend of Cuban President Fidel Castro threatens regional stability.

Chavez, who has created a civilian reserve to resist the assault he says Washington is planning, has threatened to repel U.S. forces with arrows coated with poison.

The United States, a leading buyer of oil from Venezuela, the world's No. 5 exporter, has dismissed his invasion talk as a ridiculous invention aimed at stirring up his supporters.

At least one warship has come as close to Venezuela as the Dutch island of Aruba, about 15 miles off its coast.

The Florida-based U.S. Southern Command has said the operations, which include visits to countries including Venezuela's neighboring U.S. ally Colombia, focus on threats such as "narco-terrorism and human-trafficking."

Chavez says US warships threaten Venezuela, Cuba

[Soldier4Christ]

Baghdad teachers beheaded in front of students
Gunmen brutally kill teachers at 2 primary schools; 8 slain in other attacks

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Separate groups of gunmen entered two primary schools in Baghdad on Wednesday and beheaded two teachers in front of their students, the Ministry of State for National Security said.

“Two terrorist groups beheaded two teachers in front of their students in the Amna and Shaheed Hamdi primary schools in Shaab district in Baghdad,” a ministry statement said.

The attack occurred at the Amna and Shaheed Hamdi elementary schools in Baghdad’s Shaab neighborhood, the Ministry for National Security said.

A ministry official said he believed the attacks were aimed at “intimidating pupils and disrupting learning.”

Jaafari stands firm
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari stood firm Wednesday, insisting he is the Shiite nominee for a new term and to step down is “out of the question.”

Officials called a session of parliament to try to break the political deadlock caused by disputes over his candidacy.

Efforts to form a national unity government in Iraq have been stalled for months. Sunnis and Kurds oppose al-Jaafari, blaming him for the rise in sectarian tensions across Iraq and for a high-handed leadership style since he assumed office last year.

But al-Jaafari repeatedly has said he was nominated democratically and it’s up to parliament to decide whether to approve him. He insisted Wednesday that he still enjoys the support of the Shiite alliance, the dominant bloc in parliament, despite a few public calls from within for him to step aside.

“As a matter of principle, I think the idea of making a concession is, for me at least, out of the question,” al-Jaafari said in a nationally televised press conference.

Shortly after, the parliament media office announced that a session would be held at 4 p.m. Thursday. Speaker gotcha98 Pachachi confirmed the session but began a closed-door meeting and was unavailable to give more details.

The 275-member assembly had been set to convene Monday but agreed to a delay to give Shiites time to resolve the dispute over their nomination of al-Jaafari to head the new government. U.S. and British officials urged the session go ahead and decide on other posts, including parliament speaker and the vice presidents, trying to build momentum to resolve the political deadlock.

8 others killed
In other violence, two roadside bombs exploded in the capital, killing at least two bystanders and wounding 15 people. Gunmen in Baghdad killed at least six other people.

One bomb targeting a police patrol blew up in the western neighborhood of Harthiya, killing one civilian and injuring 11 people, including two policemen and an Iraqi soldier, police said.

The other exploded near the al-Kindi hospital in eastern Baghdad, killing one civilian and wounding four others, police said.

In three separate attacks, gunmen in the southern neighborhood of Dora killed a construction worker, trade ministry employee and three power plant workers who had been snatched from their car an hour earlier, police said. At least two cars were stolen in the attacks. Police were investigating whether the attacks were linked.

In Baghdad's west Amariyah district, gunmen killed a medic as he walked from house to house administering vaccinations, police said.

A car bomb exploded in the city of Baqouba, wounding two civilians. Police had earlier received a call about a body in the car, which they retrieved moments before the blast, officials said.

In the southeastern suburb of Rustamiyah, police discovered five bodies of Iraqis, handcuffed and blindfolded. Late Tuesday, police had found 11 corpses in various parts of the capital.

Also late Tuesday, five foreigners, including an Egyptian, were killed as they drove near a village 31 miles southwest of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, police said. Officials declined to reveal the nationalities of the other four victims.

U.S. Marines repel attack
On Monday, U.S. troops repelled an attack by Sunni Arab insurgents who used suicide car bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons in a coordinated assault against Ramadi's main government building and two U.S. observation posts.

In Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi forces fought an hours-long gunbattle with about 50 insurgents in the Sunni Arab district of Azamiyah, the U.S. military said Monday. Five insurgents were killed and two Iraqi troops were wounded, the U.S. said.

The fighting in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, provided fresh evidence that the insurgency is thriving in Sunni Arab-dominated areas despite last month’s decline in U.S. deaths.

U.S. officials had been encouraged by what they described as a relative lull in Anbar, suggesting it was a result of weariness among ordinary Sunni Arabs who were turning against al-Qaida-led insurgent groups.

Last week, Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch told reporters in Baghdad that insurgent attacks in Anbar were down to an average of 18 a day — compared to a daily average of 27 last October. At the same time, U.S. deaths for March numbered 31 — the lowest monthly figure since February 2004.

There were no reports of U.S. casualties in the 90-minute attack in Ramadi, the second in the past 10 days against the government headquarters for Anbar.

American casualties on upswing
However, U.S. deaths have been rising this month. Of the 47 American service members reported killed in Iraq so far in April, at least 28 have died in Anbar.

Anbar was largely spared the wave of sectarian violence that has swept much of Iraq since the Feb. 22 bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra — largely because the province is overwhelmingly Sunni.

Most of the sectarian violence has occurred in Baghdad and other religiously mixed areas. A Shiite cleric was killed Monday night in southwest Baghdad during a drive-by shooting, police said.

In order to quell sectarian unrest, U.S. officials have been urging the Iraqis to speed up formation of a national unity government of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. The process has stalled because of Sunni and Kurdish objections to the Shiite candidate to head the new government, Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

[Soldier4Christ]

Iraq PM: Quitting 'Out of the Question'

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari insisted Wednesday he will be the Shiite nominee for a new term, saying it is "out of the question" that he will step down.

Al-Jaafari's comments, made in a nationally televised press conference, mean the deadlock over the premiership likely will continue.

Sunni and Kurdish objections to al-Jaafari have stalled efforts to form a unity government four months after national elections.

"As a matter of principle, I think the idea of making a concession is, for me at least, out of the question," al-Jaafari said.

The prime minister said he still enjoys the support of the Shiite alliance, the dominant bloc in parliament, despite a few public calls from within for him to step aside.

Al-Jaafari has said repeatedly he was nominated democratically and parliament will decide whether to approve him.