Post by peterd on Dec 22, 2007 8:19:22 GMT -8
*Ahmadinejad To Hizbullah's Mecca Rep: Unyielding Palestinian Resistance Heralds Powerful Victory Against Zionist Regime; Hizbullah Leader Nasrallah "Brother"
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that the Palestinian nation's unyielding resistance heralds a powerful Palestinian victory nation against the Zionist regime.
He said, "We are waiting for the day to witness the flag of arrogance being pulled down."
President Ahmadinejad made the remark December 18 at a meeting with Sheikh Mohammad Yazbak, Hizbullah High Council member and head of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance Movement, Hizbullah's representative office in Mecca.
He added that he hoped that the Palestinian nation would continue the path of resistance until it achieved complete victory against the Zionist occupiers, and called for more support from the world's Muslims to help liberate the Palestinians from their critical situation in the occupied lands.
"God willing, the flag of monotheism and Muslim glory will be hoisted and the ground will be paved for the expulsion of the enemies from the occupied lands," he added.
Ahmadinejad also called Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah a brother and a beloved hero to Muslim nations, and asked Yazbek to convey his warmest regards to him and to all Hizbullah members.
President Ahmadinejad arrived in Saudi Arabia on December 17 for the Hajj.
Source: IRIBnews.ir, Fars, Iran, December 20, 2007
*Iranian Police Commander: Adulterated Crack In Iran "Manifestation Of U.S. Onslaught Against Our Youth"
Iranian Police Brig. Sid Issa Dara'ie has said that combating narcotics trafficking and sales in Iran is a very tough job, adding, "The new generation of 'crack' on the market is another manifestation of the huge U.S. huge onslaught against our youth."
He pointed out that before the U.S. entered Afghanistan, that country's annual narcotics production was around 4,000 metric tons, but that it has since increased to 8,200 tons
He added, "It is obvious that the main U.S. target in this respect is Iran, since the enemy intends to push the Iranian youth generation towards total annihilation."
Source: IRNA, Iran, December 21, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4228.htm
*From MEMRI TV: Iranian TV Reporters on Board New Submarines
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4213.htm
*Ahmadinejad: Islam's Goal – To Establish Global Government
In speeches in Saudi Arabia during his Hajj pilgrimage, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that the goal of Islam was to establish a global government.
He said that Iran was opposed to the American hegemony in the world, and would continue to fight it by all means.
He added, "The Palestinians must continue the armed struggle against Israel to complete victory."
Source: IRNA, Iran, December 20, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4215.htm
*"Disavowal of Pagans" Ceremony Begins, Includes Chants Of "Death To America, Death To Israel"
The Disavowal of Pagans ritual, in the sacred desert of Arafat, 12 miles from Mecca, began today.
It was attended by a huge group of Iranian pilgrims, who chanted "Death to Israel." "Death to America," "Allah is beyond description," and "There is no god but Allah" in unison as they gathered for a day of prayer and meditation.
The ceremony was attended by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's representative for Hajj affairs, Hojatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Reyshahri.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's message to the Hajj pilgrims was read by Reyshahri during the ceremony. (See "Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Issues Message Marking Hajj.")
A resolution will be issued by the pilgrims at the end of the ceremony.
Source: IRIBnews.ir, Iran, December 18, 2007
See also "Iranian Pilgrims in Mecca Shout 'Death to America, the Great Satan' At Anti-American Rally," Channel 1, Iranian TV and Al-'Alam TV, January 9, 2006.
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4182.htm
*"Kayhan" Editor Shari'atmadari: Russia's Demand For Uranium Enrichment Freeze "Insulting"
In an interview with the conservative Iranian news agency Mehr, Hossein Shari'atmadari, editor of the Iranian daily Kayhan which is close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said that Russia's demand that Iran freeze its uranium enrichment in exchange for transferring nuclear fuel is "illegal, insulting, and like blackmail."
Shari'atmadari added that under its agreement with Iran, Russia was obligated to transfer the fuel, but that the transfer was taking place only after significant delay.
Iran's Majlis Strategic Research Center said that Russia's behavior with the U.S. shows that it is willing to sacrifice its relations with Iran in order to realize its goals.
Source: Mehr, Iran, December 19, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4202.htm
*Fourth Iran-Russia Joint Military Cooperation Commission To Meet In Tehran
Russia's Defense Minister Mikhail Dmitriev is to arrive in Tehran tomorrow, December 19, for the fourth meeting of the Iran-Russia joint military cooperation commission.
Dmitriev will be accompanied by a high ranking military and technical delegation.
The top defense envoys of the two countries will study ways to expand bilateral military ties in new areas and also look at conditions for implementing agreements from previous meetings.
Source: ISNA, Iran, December 17, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4183.htm
*Iran Calls Nuclear Fuel Delivery "Great Achievement"
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Undersecretary for International Affairs Javad Vaeedi yesterday, December 17, hailed the delivery to Iran of the first batch of nuclear fuel from Russia as a great achievement for Iran and as a failure for the U.S.-led propaganda against Iran's nuclear programs.
Vaeedi told Channel 2 of Iran's state-run TV that the U.S. and Russia had signed an agreement in 1996 to halt Moscow's nuclear cooperation with Iran, including delivery of nuclear fuel to Iran's first nuclear power plant at Bushehr.
He added, "But when Putin ascended to power, that agreement was annulled, and Russia entered serious cooperation with Iran."
He said that the delayed delivery of nuclear fuel to Bushehr was the result of the U.S.'s psychological warfare against Iran, and said, "The delivery of the fuel to Iran means that Iran has qualified for the pursuit of its peaceful nuclear activities, and that the required grounds have been paved for international confidence in Iran's peaceful nuclear programs."
See also "Senior Iranian Official: We Won't Stop Uranium Enrichment."
Source: Fars, Iran, December 18, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4184.htm
*American U Prof: "Iran's Current Power Is Due To Its Resistance"
Hamid Mowlana, professor of international relations at American University in Washington, D.C., who is Iranian, said during a speech at Tehran University that it seems logical for Iran's president to question the structure of the U.N. and its Security Council because "we must resist against hegemony, and Iran's current power is due to its resistance."
He explained that U.S. foreign policy since the mid-19th century, and the Monroe Doctrine, had been one "of empire," and that concurrent with World War II, the word empire had been replaced by the term "superpower."
He said that after September 2001, belligerency was not regarded as a shameful act, and that U.S. Empire was revived, so it is considered an emperor although some changes have been made in its policy.
Source: ISNA, Iran, December 17, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4181.htm
*Iran FM: Iran-U.S. Talks On Iraq To Be At Ambassador Level
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said December 16 that the highest level at which talks between Iranian and U.S. officials over the security situation in Iraq would be held was at the ambassadorial level.
"There is no need to raise the level of talks," Mottaki told the Al-Alam News Network.
Iran has agreed to a fourth round of talks with the U.S. on Iraq security conditions.
The Iranian and U.S. Ambassadors to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi-Qomi and Ryan Crocker, met August 6 in Baghdad for the third round of security talks. The first and second rounds of negotiations were held in Baghdad on May 28 and July 24.
The negotiations have so far led to the establishment of a trilateral security committee between Iran, U.S., and Iraq to investigate issues such as support for militias and al-Qaeda in Iraq.
On another issue, Mottaki said Iran was "close" to restoring official ties with Egypt.
Source: Tehran Times, Iran, December 18, 200
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4177.htm
*Iran Holds Large-Scale Naval Maneuvers
On December 16, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched four days of naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf.
Senior naval forces official Ali Razmjou said that one of the aims of the maneuvers was to test advanced means of warfare.
The maneuvers involved hundreds of units, naval equipment including rocket launchers, and planes dropping torpedoes, and air, commando, and diving units, and included naval and air firing and the laying of underwater mines.
Razmjou stated that the message of the maneuvers for the Gulf states was one of peace and friendship.
Source: Al-Qabas, Kuwait, December 17, 2007; Fars, Iran, December 18, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4165.htm
*Iran Promises To Launch Second Space Research Rocket
Iran's Aerospace Research Center director Mohammad Ibrahimi has declared that following the success of the first launch last year of the Kawash ("Research") research satellite rocket, Iran was now working on preparations for a second launch.
He said that the rocket was in the experimental and research stage, and that it would be launched at "an appropriate time."
Source: Mehr, Iran, December 16, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4140.htm
*Iran Forms New Guerilla Unit – Karbala Battle Brigades
As part of recent structural changes in Iran's armed forces, senior Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) officials and Basij forces have announced the establishment of the Karbala Battle Brigades.
The brigades are armed with light and semi-heavy weapons and explosives.
The reformist daily Rooz reported that these forces participated in the Basij maneuvers in November 2007, during which they were also equipped with shoulder-launched missiles.
IRGC Commander Mohammad Ja'fari warned that the forces, which are designated for special operations and guerilla warfare, will be equipped with the newest equipment and will be deployed on the country's borders.
Source: Rooz, Iran, December 17, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4134.htm
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that the Palestinian nation's unyielding resistance heralds a powerful Palestinian victory nation against the Zionist regime.
He said, "We are waiting for the day to witness the flag of arrogance being pulled down."
President Ahmadinejad made the remark December 18 at a meeting with Sheikh Mohammad Yazbak, Hizbullah High Council member and head of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance Movement, Hizbullah's representative office in Mecca.
He added that he hoped that the Palestinian nation would continue the path of resistance until it achieved complete victory against the Zionist occupiers, and called for more support from the world's Muslims to help liberate the Palestinians from their critical situation in the occupied lands.
"God willing, the flag of monotheism and Muslim glory will be hoisted and the ground will be paved for the expulsion of the enemies from the occupied lands," he added.
Ahmadinejad also called Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah a brother and a beloved hero to Muslim nations, and asked Yazbek to convey his warmest regards to him and to all Hizbullah members.
President Ahmadinejad arrived in Saudi Arabia on December 17 for the Hajj.
Source: IRIBnews.ir, Fars, Iran, December 20, 2007
*Iranian Police Commander: Adulterated Crack In Iran "Manifestation Of U.S. Onslaught Against Our Youth"
Iranian Police Brig. Sid Issa Dara'ie has said that combating narcotics trafficking and sales in Iran is a very tough job, adding, "The new generation of 'crack' on the market is another manifestation of the huge U.S. huge onslaught against our youth."
He pointed out that before the U.S. entered Afghanistan, that country's annual narcotics production was around 4,000 metric tons, but that it has since increased to 8,200 tons
He added, "It is obvious that the main U.S. target in this respect is Iran, since the enemy intends to push the Iranian youth generation towards total annihilation."
Source: IRNA, Iran, December 21, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4228.htm
*From MEMRI TV: Iranian TV Reporters on Board New Submarines
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4213.htm
*Ahmadinejad: Islam's Goal – To Establish Global Government
In speeches in Saudi Arabia during his Hajj pilgrimage, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that the goal of Islam was to establish a global government.
He said that Iran was opposed to the American hegemony in the world, and would continue to fight it by all means.
He added, "The Palestinians must continue the armed struggle against Israel to complete victory."
Source: IRNA, Iran, December 20, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4215.htm
*"Disavowal of Pagans" Ceremony Begins, Includes Chants Of "Death To America, Death To Israel"
The Disavowal of Pagans ritual, in the sacred desert of Arafat, 12 miles from Mecca, began today.
It was attended by a huge group of Iranian pilgrims, who chanted "Death to Israel." "Death to America," "Allah is beyond description," and "There is no god but Allah" in unison as they gathered for a day of prayer and meditation.
The ceremony was attended by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's representative for Hajj affairs, Hojatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Reyshahri.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's message to the Hajj pilgrims was read by Reyshahri during the ceremony. (See "Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Issues Message Marking Hajj.")
A resolution will be issued by the pilgrims at the end of the ceremony.
Source: IRIBnews.ir, Iran, December 18, 2007
See also "Iranian Pilgrims in Mecca Shout 'Death to America, the Great Satan' At Anti-American Rally," Channel 1, Iranian TV and Al-'Alam TV, January 9, 2006.
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4182.htm
*"Kayhan" Editor Shari'atmadari: Russia's Demand For Uranium Enrichment Freeze "Insulting"
In an interview with the conservative Iranian news agency Mehr, Hossein Shari'atmadari, editor of the Iranian daily Kayhan which is close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said that Russia's demand that Iran freeze its uranium enrichment in exchange for transferring nuclear fuel is "illegal, insulting, and like blackmail."
Shari'atmadari added that under its agreement with Iran, Russia was obligated to transfer the fuel, but that the transfer was taking place only after significant delay.
Iran's Majlis Strategic Research Center said that Russia's behavior with the U.S. shows that it is willing to sacrifice its relations with Iran in order to realize its goals.
Source: Mehr, Iran, December 19, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4202.htm
*Fourth Iran-Russia Joint Military Cooperation Commission To Meet In Tehran
Russia's Defense Minister Mikhail Dmitriev is to arrive in Tehran tomorrow, December 19, for the fourth meeting of the Iran-Russia joint military cooperation commission.
Dmitriev will be accompanied by a high ranking military and technical delegation.
The top defense envoys of the two countries will study ways to expand bilateral military ties in new areas and also look at conditions for implementing agreements from previous meetings.
Source: ISNA, Iran, December 17, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4183.htm
*Iran Calls Nuclear Fuel Delivery "Great Achievement"
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Undersecretary for International Affairs Javad Vaeedi yesterday, December 17, hailed the delivery to Iran of the first batch of nuclear fuel from Russia as a great achievement for Iran and as a failure for the U.S.-led propaganda against Iran's nuclear programs.
Vaeedi told Channel 2 of Iran's state-run TV that the U.S. and Russia had signed an agreement in 1996 to halt Moscow's nuclear cooperation with Iran, including delivery of nuclear fuel to Iran's first nuclear power plant at Bushehr.
He added, "But when Putin ascended to power, that agreement was annulled, and Russia entered serious cooperation with Iran."
He said that the delayed delivery of nuclear fuel to Bushehr was the result of the U.S.'s psychological warfare against Iran, and said, "The delivery of the fuel to Iran means that Iran has qualified for the pursuit of its peaceful nuclear activities, and that the required grounds have been paved for international confidence in Iran's peaceful nuclear programs."
See also "Senior Iranian Official: We Won't Stop Uranium Enrichment."
Source: Fars, Iran, December 18, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4184.htm
*American U Prof: "Iran's Current Power Is Due To Its Resistance"
Hamid Mowlana, professor of international relations at American University in Washington, D.C., who is Iranian, said during a speech at Tehran University that it seems logical for Iran's president to question the structure of the U.N. and its Security Council because "we must resist against hegemony, and Iran's current power is due to its resistance."
He explained that U.S. foreign policy since the mid-19th century, and the Monroe Doctrine, had been one "of empire," and that concurrent with World War II, the word empire had been replaced by the term "superpower."
He said that after September 2001, belligerency was not regarded as a shameful act, and that U.S. Empire was revived, so it is considered an emperor although some changes have been made in its policy.
Source: ISNA, Iran, December 17, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4181.htm
*Iran FM: Iran-U.S. Talks On Iraq To Be At Ambassador Level
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said December 16 that the highest level at which talks between Iranian and U.S. officials over the security situation in Iraq would be held was at the ambassadorial level.
"There is no need to raise the level of talks," Mottaki told the Al-Alam News Network.
Iran has agreed to a fourth round of talks with the U.S. on Iraq security conditions.
The Iranian and U.S. Ambassadors to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi-Qomi and Ryan Crocker, met August 6 in Baghdad for the third round of security talks. The first and second rounds of negotiations were held in Baghdad on May 28 and July 24.
The negotiations have so far led to the establishment of a trilateral security committee between Iran, U.S., and Iraq to investigate issues such as support for militias and al-Qaeda in Iraq.
On another issue, Mottaki said Iran was "close" to restoring official ties with Egypt.
Source: Tehran Times, Iran, December 18, 200
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4177.htm
*Iran Holds Large-Scale Naval Maneuvers
On December 16, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched four days of naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf.
Senior naval forces official Ali Razmjou said that one of the aims of the maneuvers was to test advanced means of warfare.
The maneuvers involved hundreds of units, naval equipment including rocket launchers, and planes dropping torpedoes, and air, commando, and diving units, and included naval and air firing and the laying of underwater mines.
Razmjou stated that the message of the maneuvers for the Gulf states was one of peace and friendship.
Source: Al-Qabas, Kuwait, December 17, 2007; Fars, Iran, December 18, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4165.htm
*Iran Promises To Launch Second Space Research Rocket
Iran's Aerospace Research Center director Mohammad Ibrahimi has declared that following the success of the first launch last year of the Kawash ("Research") research satellite rocket, Iran was now working on preparations for a second launch.
He said that the rocket was in the experimental and research stage, and that it would be launched at "an appropriate time."
Source: Mehr, Iran, December 16, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4140.htm
*Iran Forms New Guerilla Unit – Karbala Battle Brigades
As part of recent structural changes in Iran's armed forces, senior Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) officials and Basij forces have announced the establishment of the Karbala Battle Brigades.
The brigades are armed with light and semi-heavy weapons and explosives.
The reformist daily Rooz reported that these forces participated in the Basij maneuvers in November 2007, during which they were also equipped with shoulder-launched missiles.
IRGC Commander Mohammad Ja'fari warned that the forces, which are designated for special operations and guerilla warfare, will be equipped with the newest equipment and will be deployed on the country's borders.
Source: Rooz, Iran, December 17, 2007
www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/4134.htm