Posts from — January 2012

Cuba: Jailed dissident dies after hunger strike
20 January, 2012 – Index on Censorship

Dissident Wilmar Villar Mendoza, has died in a hospital in eastern Cuba following a 56-day hunger strike. Villar launched his strike shortly after his November arrest, after which he was put on trial and sentenced to four years in prison for crimes including disobedience, resistance and crimes against the state. Fellow opposition activists have claimed mistreatment by the Cuban government contributed to Villar’s death.
…source

Isaiah 29:15-16 – woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” they turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!… Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing?”

U.S. Arms Sales to Bahrain: 4 Questions for the Obama Administration
by: Sanjeev Bery – 30 January, 2012 – Human Rights Now

As I wrote on Saturday, the Obama Administration has authorized a new U.S. arms sale to the Bahraini monarchy. This comes just months after a Congressional and public outcry that led the administration to suspend a prior $53 million arms sale to Bahrain.

Members of Congress, journalists, and Amnesty International were all outraged over the last proposed arms sale. That’s because Bahraini protesters continue to be tear gassed, beaten, and even killed while exercising their human rights of free speech and association – rights that include the freedom to criticize one’s government.

Regarding this new arms sale, here are the top four questions that the Obama administration must answer immediately:

1. Why was the arms sale kept secret from the public?

Josh Rogin at Foreign Policy leaked the news of the arms sale on Friday. He also reported that U.S. arms sales under $1 million don’t have to be publicly disclosed. So the Obama administration didn’t publicly mention it. But why? At a time when the Bahraini government continues to crack down on protesters, why did the Obama administration keep the contents of this arms sale — or multiple arms sales – secret?

2. What is in the arms sale?

U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said that the arms sale “includes spare parts,” arms for Bahrain’s “external defense”, and that “none of these items can be used against protesters.” But the last time the U.S. State Department said that arms were being sold to Bahrain for “external defense” – the arms package contained humvees. This came after the Bahraini government had already used tanks to surround a hospital where wounded protestors had been treated. The public needs to know what the Obama administration is selling to Bahrain. Ammunition? Replacement parts for ships? Vehicles to transport soldiers? Landing gear for cargo planes? Tanks?

3. How many secret arms sales are there?

In his above mentioned piece, Rogin implied that the Obama administration could hypothetically turn the suspended $53 million arms sale into 53 or more separate arms sales under $1 million each — and that none of them would have to be reported. Is that what is happening? How many unreported U.S. arms sales to Bahrain are happening now — or are slated to happen in the future?

4. How does this secret arms sale square with the President’s State of the Union address?

In his State of the Union address last week, President Obama referred to the “wave of change” in the Middle East. He also described what U.S. foreign policy would be: “We will stand against violence and intimidation. We will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings –- men and women; Christians, Muslims and Jews.”

It remains to be seen what is in this latest arms sale (or sales) to Bahrain. But at a time when Bahrainis are experiencing human rights violations at home, it doesn’t look good to be handing their government additional military equipment. …more

Bahrainis slam regime violence, brutality
29 January, 2012 – By Shiapost

Bahraini anti-government protesters have held demonstrations across the country to condemn the ongoing violent crackdown by the Manama regime, Press TV reports.

Demonstrators chanted “Down with (King) Hamad” during protests in several towns and villages on Sunday.

According to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), four people died on January 25 as a result of the violent crackdown on the anti-regime demonstrations.

Bahraini protesters on Sunday also commemorated those killed by the Saudi-backed regime forces.

The BCHR said 14 Bahraini activists that have been under arrest since March 2011 announced a one-week hunger strike beginning on Sunday in protest to the ongoing suppression of the people of Bahrain including “arbitrary detentions, unfair trials, and the policy of unfair suspension from work.”

Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds more arrested or fired from their jobs since the beginning of the popular uprising in Bahrain in February 2011.

On January 26, Amnesty International called on Bahraini authorities to “investigate and account for the reports of more than a dozen deaths following tear gas use.”

Amnesty also called on the US government to “suspend transfers of tear gas and other riot control equipment to the Bahraini authorities.” …more

Call to International community: Detained activists and political prisoners on hunger strike in Bahrain
29 Jan 2012 – Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Bahrain Center for Human Rights calls for an urgent intervention from the international community to put an end to the continues violations of human rights, including but not limited to, the continued detention of hundreds of political detainees in appalling conditions, despite the acknowledgment of the BICI report that confirmed that they were subject to arrests and torture on the back of practicing illegitimate rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The international community’s silence over the Bahraini regime’s continuous crimes is leading the people of Bahrain to take desperate measures risking their own lives.

14 activists who were detained since last March have announced their intention to start a hunger strike starting today January 29th, 2012 for one week until February 4th, 2012 in protest to the continued suppression of the people of Bahrain including the continued arbitrary detention, the unfair trials, the sentencing of innocent people for peacefully protesting demanding rights and the continued policy of starvation of the people through the unfair dismissal and suspension from work. There are concerns over the health of the activists who will be on hunger strike; AbdulJaleel AlSingace, who suffers from poliomyelitis, has previously suffered a heart attack after going on an earlier hunger strike; Hassan Mushaima, 63 years old, was not able to receive the required medication for cancer which he had in 2010, and there are fears the cancer might return; Mohamed Jawad Barweez could be the eldest detainee of over 65 years of age, his family has raised concerns over his health as well. In addition, they still suffer from the effects of the torture as stated in the report of the independent commission of inquiry. It’s not expected that medical care will be provided to them if needed at the prison, as made evident from previous cases.

This hunger strike started in a wave by the political leaders detained, many prisoners including those held in Jaw and the central region prisons have announced their solidarity and will join this hunger strike. The families of the political leaders have also announced that they too will join, and members of Bahrain youth society for human rights, will be joining this hunger strike as well.

BCHR holds the international community responsible for any consequences on the life of the 14 activists and the political prisoners joining the hunger strike. BCHR calls for immediate urgent action and demands that:

– The immediate release of all political detainees who have been detained tortured and sentenced in unfair military trials for practicing a basic right and peacefully protesting.
– Stop the continued violations of human rights in Bahrain including the violent suppression of peaceful protests, continued arbitrary detention, and the unfair trials and sentences.

The 14 activist on hunger strike:

1. Abdulwahab Hussain Ali (life sentence imprisonment)
2. Ibrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa (5 Years imprisonment)
3. Hassan Ali Mushaima (life sentence imprisonment)
4. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja (life sentence imprisonment)
5. Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace (life sentence imprisonment)
6. Mohammed Habib Al Safaf (Mohammed Habib Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment)
7. Saeed Mirza Ahmed ( Saeed AlNouri) ( life sentence imprisonment)
8. Abduljalil Mansoor Makk (Abdul Jalil Miqdad) (life sentence imprisonment)
9. Al Hurra Yousif Mohammed (2 Years imprisonment)
10. Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos (5 years imprisonment)
11. Salah Hubail Al Khawaj (5 years imprisonment)
12. Mohammed Hassan Jawad (15 years imprisonment)
13. Mohammed Ali Ismael (15 years imprisonment)
14. Abdul Hadi Abdullah Mahdi Hassan (Abdulhadi AlMukhodher) (15 years imprisonment)
…source

With all HR violations in the educational sector: Bahrain elected Vice-President of UNESCO IBE
29 Jan 2012 – BCHR

Recently, Bahrain was elected as the Vice-President of the UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) (bna.bh/portal/en/news/490966) regardless of the human rights violations committed by the Bahraini government and Ministry of Education towards members of the educational sector, which includes students of all levels, teachers and professors. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) condemns the UNESCO’s act of turning a blind eye towards the human rights and educational violations in Bahrain, especially as one of its main roles is to protect and nurture individual human rights. This act does not contribute in any way to the respect for human rights in Bahrain, but expresses support for the regime which did not stop targeting educators and students with arrests, unfair trials, and suspension from work for merely exercising the right to freedom of expression. BCHR demands freezing of Bahrain membership in the UNESCO IBE until it takes measurable steps to stop all the violations in the education sector.

The Bahraini government has been systematically violating human rights since the start of the pro-democracy movement on February 14 2011. Its brutal mass attack on pro-democracy protesters has resulted to the killing of 62 protesters, sacking of more than 2000 workers, arrest and detention of more than 1000 political detainees and many critical injuries. The medical and educational sectors have been the most affected by the government’s systematic crackdown on the opposition. The educational sector has especially been attacked on a large scale with the targeting of teachers, students and university professors. The following is documentation of the ongoing violations against the educational sector in Bahrain:

University students …more

Detained Bahraini Activists on Food Strike, Protest Arbitrary Verdicts
Local Editor – Moqawama

The detained Bahraini opposition idols started a food strike to protest the maltreatment and the arbitrary sentences issued against them.

On this level, The February 14 coalition called for organizing peaceful protests in solidarity with the detainees. In a statement issued, the coalition indicated that the so-called confessions linked to the detainees are either fabricated or were extracted my means of force.

Moreover, head of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights Mohammed al-Maskati clarified that “conducting the strike came after the regime’s Interior Ministry demanded the toughest punishments against those who take part in protests, and called for a 15-year imprisonment on charges of attacking the security forces”.

Meanwhile, the regime forces continue their deadly crackdown against peaceful protesters, attacking unarmed demonstrators and even targeting safe houses with toxic gas.

The country’s Sitra Island held the funeral procession of martyr Mohammad Ibrahim, who was killed earlier last week by Bahraini troops. Forces closed all the entrances and exits of the island, to prevent people from reaching the procession and taking part. However, many Bahrainis were able to reach the region, affirming their determination to continue their peaceful demonstrations until their demands are met. …source

Obama administration approves arms shipment to Bahrain
by Sanjeev Bery – 28 January, 2012 – Human Rights Now

Despite continued human rights violations against civilians, Foreign Policy’s Josh Rogin reports that the Bahraini government is about to get even more military armaments from the United States. According to the article, which quotes key members of Congress, the Obama Administration has approved a new sale of US arms and/or military equipment to Bahraini security forces.

In a question and answer session with reporters on Friday, US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated that the US Government planned to “release some previously notified equipment needed for Bahrain’s external defense and support of Fifth Fleet operations.”

Ms. Nuland went on to add, “This includes spare parts and maintenance of equipment. None of these items can be used against protestors.” Pay close attention to the word “includes.” What else is in the sale?

Of course, the challenge with this is that there is no way to independently verify what the US Department of Defense and State Department are allowing Bahraini security forces to buy. Foreign Policy’s Rogin reports that because the sale – or multiple sales – all fall below the $1 million mark, the US Government doesn’t have to make the details public.

Given the track record of the Bahraini government in violently responding to protestors’ demands, any US transfer of weapons, ammunition, or military equipment must be looked at closely. In Egypt, Yemen, and Bahrain, the US government has a bad history of providing weapons to those who have ultimately been willing to point them at their own people. The Bahraini government continues to demonstrate that willingness, even after significant international criticism.

On January 26th, Amnesty International reported on over a dozen deaths that followed the excessive use of tear gas and other crowd control agents by Bahraini security forces. But the violence didn’t start there. In the protests against the Khalifa monarchy during early 2011, at least 47 people died. More have alleged torture following arrest, and thousands have been fired from their jobs. It is unclear how many were reinstated in the aftermath. …more

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Bahrain: UPDATE – Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and 13 other prisoners start hunger strike
Front Line Defenders – 29 January, 2012

On 29 January 2012 human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and 13 other prisoners, including prisoners of conscience and human rights defender Abduljalil Al Singace, started an open-ended hunger strike to protest against the arbitrary arrest and detention of peaceful protesters and continued human rights violations in Bahrain.

The striking prisoners are held in Jaw Prison and are serving prison sentences, some of which are life sentences, handed down after grossly unfair trials. To express solidarity with Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and the other prisoners on hunger strike the President of Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights Mohammed Al Maskati and its board members started a hunger strike on 30 January 2012.

Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, former Front Line Defenders Protection Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, was arrested in April 2011. His case was considered by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) which detailed the types of torture and ill-treatment he was subjected to while held incommunicado.

The BICI forensic team established among other things that Abdulhadi AlKhawaja was “thrown on the ground, rolled down stairs, kicked and beaten with sticks. His hands were cuffed behind his back and he was blindfolded. His son-in-law was also arrested. Immediately after the arrest, the detainee received a hard blow to the side of his face, which broke his jaw and knocked him to the ground”.

Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, an internationally renowned human rights defender, remains in prison despite an unfair trial in the National Safety Court, torture and the clear insistence by the BICI report that all convictions by the National Safety Court be fully reviewed.

Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities in Bahrain to immediately release Abdulhadi AlKhawaja and drop all charges brought against him; bring to justice those involved in his torture and ill-treatment; and implement without delay all the recommendations made by the BICI. …more

Bahrain eyes tougher laws calling for 15-year jail time for attacks on security forces
By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, January 30, 2:15 AM

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahrain’s interior minister is calling for tougher laws that could bring up to 15 years in prison for an attack on security personnel or their families.

The proposal by Lt. Gen. Sheik Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa seeks to strengthen the government’s hand against escalating pro-reform protests by the kingdom’s Shiite majority.

The official Bahrain News Agency says the plan was sent to the country’s parliament Monday for review. The chamber is dominated by pro-government lawmakers.

Bahrain claims more than 40 riot police were injured last week in attacks that included the hurling of firebombs.

The Shiite-led uprising seeking greater rights began nearly a year ago. Authorities worry that unrest will increase before the Feb. 14 anniversary. …more

There are numerous unconfirmed reports of unrest at Bahrain’s Jaw Prison, following reports of abuse to Political Prisoners who have begun hunger strike. Updates as they become available. See Recent Report by Bahrain Center for Human Rights on Jaw Prison HERE

Twitter Roundup at 8:32 AM MST USA

– Political leaders/detainees imprisoned in Jaw Facility are undergoing #HungerStrike r attacked/gased & put in Solitary confinement #Bahrain
25 minutes ago

– There R diff prisons in Jaw, long sentences including Amal in prison1, many political detainees in prison4, 14 activist in prison6 #bahrain
54 minutes ago

– At least few detainees from prison1 at Jaw were taken into solitary confinement as confirmed by a call to @Sadiqshabaani #Bahrain
56 minutes ago

– Urgent: According to several sources, now political prisoners are being shot at with teargas INSIDE Jaw prison #Bahrain
1 hour ago

– URGENT: A call from a political prisoner in Jaw now, “Its chaos in here! Plz do anything you can to help us” #Bahrain

Bahrain: The continued harassment, intimidation, and persecution of the Medics by the government
Gulf Center for Human Rights – 29 January, 2012

Beirut, 29 January, 2012 – The Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Bahrain Centre for Human Rights would like to express in the strongest possible terms their profound concern following the arbitrary arrest and detention of two medical staff , Dental Assistant Halima Abdulaziz Al-Sabag and Head of Dental Nurses Aqeela Radhi Hammad, which represents a continuation of targeting trends that evolved over the previous months in Bahrain that include medical staff, teachers, students, journalists, worker, as well as human rights defenders.

According to accurate information received by GCHR & BCHR, Dental Assistant Halima Abdulaziz Al-Sabag has been taken from her workplace in Salmaniya hospital on Thursday, January 26, 2012, allegedly she was to have taken first-aid medicines for the treatment of injured protesters, who suffer as a result of the suppression of the authorities. Al-Sabag’s family was not able to know her whereabouts for hours after the arrest and they managed finally to see her at Hoora police station. Al-Sabag brought to the Criminal Investigation Directorate in the same night of her arrest and appeared before the public prosecutor, on the morning of 27th of January 2012, who made the decision to keep her in custody for a week pending investigation on the alleged charge of exploitation of her Job to seize the money of the state, a charge denied by Al-Sabag. On Sunday morning, January 29, 2012, Head of Nurses Aqeela Radhi Hammad has been arrested, in what appears to be linked to the arrest of Halima Al-Sabag.

In a telephone conversation with her family on 28th of January, 2012 Halima Al-Sabag complained that the authorities have kept her in a cell with a number of defendants charged with “prostitution” in a move aimed at including coercion and psychological pressure on her, which is contrary to the provisions of articles of “the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners” issued by the United Nations, which stated in its article (63) (1) clearly that ” The fulfillment of these principles requires individualization of treatment and for this purpose a flexible system of classifying prisoners in groups; ” where the objective is explained in accordance with Article (67 / a) which states: “To separate from others those prisoners who, by reason of their criminal records or bad characters, are likely to exercise a bad influence; ” …more

Nazi tyrant Adolf Hitler got things done, says Bernie Ecclestone
5 July, 2009 – Lauren Crooks – Sunday Mail

FORMULA ONE chief Bernie Ecclestone has sparked outrage after praising Hitler’s ability to “get things done”.

The outspoken billionaire also slammed today’s politicians for being weak and declared Britain was wrong to help overthrow Saddam Hussein.

He claimed democracy had done nothing for Britain and we would be better off with a government based on tyranny.

He said: “In a lot of ways – terrible to say this I suppose – but apart from the fact that Hitler got persuaded to do things that I have no idea whether he wanted to do or not, he was in the way that he could command a lot of people, able to get things done.

“In the end he got lost, so he wasn’t a very good dictator.”

Ecclestone went on to slate Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, saying: “I prefer strong leaders.

“Margaret Thatcher made decisions on the run and got the job done. She was the one who built this country up slowly and we’ve let it go down again.

“All these guys – Gordon and Tony – are trying to please everybody all the time.”

He claimed democracy was a failure, saying: “It hasn’t done a lot of good for many countries – including this one.”

He also claimed close friend Max Mosley would do a better job as prime minister.

Motorsport boss Mosley – son of Sir Oswald Mosley who headed up the British Union of Fascists – was recently accused of being a dictator by F1 racing teams.

Ecclestone insisted: “Max would do a super job. He’s a good leader. I don’t think his background would be a problem.”

The F1 boss also claimed Britain and America should have stayed out of Iraq.

He added: “We did a terrible thing when we supported the idea of getting rid of Saddam.

“He was the only one who could control that country. It was the same with the Taliban.

“We move into countries and we have no idea of the culture – the Americans probably thought Bosnia was a town in Miami. …more

Bahrain has failed to grasp reform – so why is the grand prix going ahead?
The repression at Bahrain’s race track is a microcosm of the government crackdown, yet the FIA still hasn’t got the message

John Lubbock and Nabeel Rajab – guardian.co.uk – 30 January 2012

The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), a palm-lined, glitzy race track in the middle of the desert, is due to host Formula One in April. Behind the facade, however, lie tales of misery, blood and torture.

Last year, the head of security at the BIC raided its offices alongside plainclothed police with a list. The list contained the names of every Shia employee. One by one they were dragged from their desks and beaten in front of colleagues. In total, 27 were arrested, and many were left in jail for months. The BIC is responsible for purging its own people. It is hardly a place that deserves to host this race again.

The repression that occurred at the BIC is a microcosm of the broader government crackdown. The result has been entrenchment of an apartheid system in which the indigenous population are marginalised and feel like second-class citizens.

The fact that the marginalised majority are mostly Shias is frequently overplayed by international journalists seeking an easy explanation for the crisis. It plays into fears of sectarianism, and helps the Bahraini regime’s divide-and-rule policy that was exposed by Salah Albandar, a British adviser to the government, in 2006.

But it is more complicated than that. Sunni anti-government leaders like Ibrahim Sharif were also jailed because they threatened to unite the Sunni and Shia reformists who chanted the slogan: “No Sunni, no Shia, just Bahraini.”

While preaching support for democratic transition, the US and UK have remained silent towards the Bahraini regime.

The first anniversary of the start of the peaceful uprising is on 14 February and is likely to be marked by big protests. The US has issued a travel warning to this effect and moved some embassy staff. Reporters Without Borders has just named Bahrain one of the world’s top 10 most repressive regimes, while Freedom House downgraded Bahrain from “partly free” to “not free”.

Despite this, the UK is back to business exporting arms to Bahrain. It is simply shocking that Britain and the US continue to support such a repressive regime and that Formula One is even considering holding the Bahrain race at the current time. …more

see article from FP – Obama administration using loophole to quietly sell arms package to Bahrain – HERE

Bahrain crackdown continues
UPI – Isa Ebrahim – 27 January, 2012

Opposition protesters run to cover after being fired upon by police during an opposition march in Riffa, Bahrain, south of the capital Manama on March 11, 2011. Bahraini anti-riot police clashed with opposition protesters on the outskirts of Riffa after pro-government supporters were able to pass through police lines and attack the opposition march. Nearly 800 people were injured according to the health ministry, mainly due to tear-gas inhalation.

MANAMA, Bahrain, Jan. 27 (UPI) — Bahrain has continued to assault anti-government protesters despite pledging last year to honor international norms, witnesses said.

Witnesses told the BBC that security forces were operating against international norms in Bahrain. The broadcaster added that it reviewed photographs of those caught up in street demonstrations and observed signs of abuse on the bodies of some protesters.

Amnesty International said it had evidence to suggest security forces appeared to be using tear gas inappropriately.

“The Bahraini authorities must investigate and account for the reports of more than a dozen deaths following tear gas use,” Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy Middle East and North Africa director for Amnesty International, said in a statement. “The security forces must be instructed on how to use tear gas in line with international policing standards.”

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in a 513-page report published late last year concluded that state security forces used unnecessary lethal force during a crackdown on Shiite demonstrators in early 2011. The Sunni-led government in Manama said it was considering the guidance spelled out in the BICI reports.

At least 40 people died in the uprising and the commission said at least nine deaths were attributable to the country’s Interior Ministry.
…source

uppdate 6:53 MST USA
– 2 hours into the start of the shooting (4:50 am) it now seems to be quiet, let’s pray there isnt more coming #Duraz #BaniJamrah
5 Minutes ago

6:30 MST USA
– Live ammo shooting continues in #BaniJamrah sounds like war zone, people r out 2 protect their houses from marching mercenaries #Bahrain #OO
5 minutes ago

– Villagers are UnArmed & been met with Severe Violence as Police Storm their Homes at 4am in #duraz & #banijamrah #bahrain
6 minutes ago

– Riot police attacked a house in #duraz at 3.30 AM destroying whatever in their sight then left.” #ODP #OO #UK #USA #HELP #WHY
3 minutes ago

– Entering #BaniJamrah now would be a suicide mission,12 jeeps & 2 busses r already in,16 more just arrived from Budaiya station. #bahrain #OO
6 minutes ago

– im about 2 kilometers away from #banijamrah and i hear the shooting very loud. sounds like a war movie. #bahrain” #OO #ODP #UK
7 minutes ago

– Bahrain Villagers are Under Attack Now at 4am!! Riot Police r storming Houses & Arresting the Youth. #banijamrah” #OO #ODP
9 minutes ago

– More than 20 mercenary jeeps arrived to #duraz roundabout & started shooting #Bahrain via @Feb14Media #duraz is a vlg next to #BaniJamra #OO
10 minutes ago

– Yesterday at this time police were teargassing #BaniJamrah, now they’re teargassing, raiding houses & shooting live ammo. #Bahrain #OO
18 minutes ago

– #OO #Occupylsx Death in the homes in #Bahrain now the time there is 0356 hrs & the Troopers attack defenseless villagers. HELP!

General Martin Dempsey: Iran war ‘really destabilizing’
27 January, 2012 – IRD

Press TV – Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey has said that military conflict with Iran would be “premature” and have deeply destabilizing effects on world security and economy.

“A conflict with Iran would be really destabilizing, and I’m not just talking from the security perspective. It would be economically destabilizing,” General Dempsey said in an interview with the National Journal on Thursday.

“I just think that it’s premature to be deciding that the economic and diplomatic approach is inadequate,” he further noted.

The cautionary comments come a week after the US military chief paid his first official visit to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, President Shimon Peres, and military chief of staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz.

Pointing to the differences of opinion between Washington and Tel Aviv over Iran’s nuclear program, Dempsey noted that the allies see Iran’s nuclear program differently.

“My intervention with them was not to try to persuade them to my thinking or allow them to persuade me to theirs, but rather to acknowledge the complexity and commit to seeking creative solutions, not simple solutions,”he added.

US President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other top officials have warned Israeli leaders about the “dire consequences of a strike” to stop a Tel Aviv’s possible attack against Iran.

The US, Israel, and their allies accuse Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program and have used this allegation as a pretext to sway the United Nations Security Council to impose four rounds of sanctions on Iran.

The pressure against Tehran increased in November 2011 after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accused Iran of conducting activities related to developing nuclear weapons before 2003, adding that these activities “may still be ongoing.”

Iran has strongly rejected the allegation. …source

The “Syrian revolution” no longer fires Western imagination
by SYRIA PRESS REVIEW #37 – Voltarienet.org

The unanimity that prevailed in the Western and Gulf press during the last ten months is now crumbling. Even if certain major newspapers have painted the operation of the Syrian army to liberate the cities occupied by the Wahhabi Legion as a form of political repression against unarmed civilians, others are putting up an increasing number of red flags: the photos of civilians demonstrating against President al-Assad have given way to images of masked gunmen, while reports have insistently focused on faith or mafia-related abuses rather than on political protest.

Both the Western and Gulf media continue to reflect the position of their governments, but with more aloofness: the romantic image of the “Syrian revolution” has dissipated. The last remaining subterfuge to try and convince readers is to portray the “rebels” as “insurgents,” claiming they are all Syrian army deserters instead of mostly foreign mercenaries of the Wahhabi Legion, often emanating from al-Qaida ranks.

All commentators await the next meeting of the Security Council where proposals by the Arab League and Russia should be submitted. …source

Iran could ban EU oil exports next week
Al-Akhbar – 27 January, 2012

A law to be debated in Iran’s parliament on Sunday could halt exports of oil to the European Union as early as next week, the semi-official Fars news agency quoted a lawmaker as saying on Friday.

“On Sunday, parliament will have to approve a ‘double emergency’ bill calling for a halt in the export of Iranian oil to Europe starting next week,” Hossein Ibrahimi, vice-chairman of parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, was quoted as saying.

Parliament is pushing for the export ban to deny the EU a six-month phase-in of the embargo on Iranian oil that the bloc agreed on Monday as part of a raft of tough new Western sanctions aimed at forcing Iran to curb its nuclear program.

The EU accounted for 18 percent of Iranian crude oil sales in the first half of 2011, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), making it Iran’s second biggest customer after China.

But Iran says there’s enough demand for its oil to offset the EU ban, with Tehran’s top three clients all Asian countries.

China and India have shown no intention as yet to cut back its oil imports from Iran, while Japan and South Korea are seeking US waivers. …more

Obama administration using loophole to quietly sell arms package to Bahrain
By Josh Rogin – 27 January, 2012 – Foreign Policy

President Barack Obama’s administration has been delaying its planned $53 million arms sale to Bahrain due to human rights concerns and congressional opposition, but this week administration officials told several congressional offices that they will move forward with a new and different package of arms sales — without any formal notification to the public.

The congressional offices that led the charge to oppose the original Bahrain arms sales package are upset that the State Department has decided to move forward with the new package. The opposition to Bahrain arms sales is led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), and also includes Senate Foreign Relations Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee chairman Robert Casey (D-PA), Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), and Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Wyden and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) have each introduced a resolution in their respective chambers to prevent the U.S. government from going through with the original sale, which would have included 44 armored, high-mobility Humvees and over 300 advanced missiles.

The State Department has not released details of the new sale, and Congress has not been notified through the regular process, which requires posting the information on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) website. The State Department simply briefed a few congressional offices and is going ahead with the new sale, arguing it didn’t meet the threshold that would require more formal notifications and a public explanation.

At today’s State Department press briefing, The Cable asked spokeswoman Victoria Nuland about the new sale. She acknowledged the new package but didn’t have any details handy.

Our congressional sources said that State is using a legal loophole to avoid formally notifying Congress and the public about the new arms sale. The administration can sell anything to anyone without formal notification if the sale is under $1 million. If the total package is over $1 million, State can treat each item as an individual sale, creating multiple sales of less than $1 million and avoiding the burden of notification, which would allow Congress to object and possibly block the deal.

We’re further told that State is keeping the exact items in the sale secret, but is claiming they are for Bahrain’s “external defense” and therefore couldn’t be used against protesters. Of course, that’s the same argument that State made about the first arms package, which was undercut by videos showing the Bahraini military using Humvees to suppress civilian protesters.

Regardless, congressional opponents to Bahrain arms sales are planning to fight back. Wyden is circulating a letter now to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stating that Bahrain’s government continues to commit human rights violations and should not be rewarded with U.S. arms sales.

“The Bahraini government has shown little progress in improving their human rights record over the last few months and in some ways, their record has gotten worse,” Wyden told The Cable on Friday. “Protesters are still being hurt and killed, midnight arrests are still happening and the government continues to deny access to human rights monitors. The kingdom of Bahrain has not shown a true good faith effort to improve human rights in their country and the U.S. should not be rewarding them as if they have.”

“Supplying arms to a regime that continues to persecute its citizens is not in the best interest of the United States,” Wyden said. “When the government of Bahrain shows that it respects the human rights of its citizens it will become more stable and a better ally in the region; only then should arms sales from the U.S. resume.”

That point was echoed by McGovern, who pledged to oppose any arms sales to Bahrain. …more

February 14 Youth Coalition Final Warning to The Mercenaries Hired by Al-Khalifa Regime
by إئتلاف شباب ثورة 14 فبراير on Friday, January 27, 2012 at 8:13am

Our revolutionaries have repeatedly warned you in your own languages (Hindi, Urdu and Arabic) but instead of heeding their warnings and accepting their offers, you have shamefully opted to continue with your ruthlessness and stain your hands in innocent Bahraini blood. You have proven that you are nothing but a bunch of worthless inhuman slaves that do not deserve to lay a foot on our country.

We have so far preserved our right to use force for self-defense, hoping that would make you hesitant from attacking peaceful protestors, women and children. However, common sense and human logic do not seem to work on you.

Therefore, we advise you to heed our final warning for your own sake. Take your belongings and go back to wherever you have come from if you value your life, and do not accept for yourself to commit crimes for the sake of the illegitimate regime of Al-Khalifa. Our people have decided to bring an end to the illegitimate regime, and we have no doubts that you will be the first sacrifice Al-Khalifa will make to maintain their grip on power.

At the same time, we would like to make an honest call to the nations, governments and embassies to make the right decision and condemn hiring their people by Al-Khalifa regime as mercenaries, and call them back before it is too late. We shall take no responsibility for whatever might happen to the mercenaries after this final warning.

Our great people, if the mercenaries fail to heed this final warning and go back to their countries, then you can exercise your right for self-defense without hesitation. The whole world has witnessed your bravery and your strong well for freedom and dignity; the final victory shall be yours.

…source