The New Yoker: George W. Bushs reëlection was not his only victory last fall. The President and his national-security advisers have consolidated control over the military and intelligence communities strategic analyses and covert operations to a degree unmatched since the rise of the post-Second World War national-security state.
THE COMING WARS
Schroeder urges Iran not to block nuclear talks
Xinhua: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has urged Iranian leaders not to block the talks mediated by European countries in a
bid to curb Teheran’s nuclear program.
“It is the hope of the world this year… that a comprehensive and lasting accord can be reached,” said Schroeder, noting that progress had been made at talks led by Britain, France and Germany,the so-called “Big Three” in the European Union (EU), since last year.
POP STAR ANDY RECORDS ORIGNIAL NOROOZ SONG FOR FIRST TIME NOROOZ CARTOON
The following press release has been sent to Iran Focus by Sara Safeed (Persian Mirror): Internationally renowned recording artist Andy has put his talented song-writing skills to a new project called Babak and Friends A First Norooz. The famed pop star, who has just returned from a world tour is heading into the studio to record the new Norooz song next week. Andy joins a cast of talented artists and actors, including legendary actor Parviz Sayyad and Ali Pourtash in this first-time Norooz project for children and adults alike.
Nobel woman defies Iranian court to denounce torture
The Times: Shirin Ebadi, Irans Nobel peace prizewinner who has defied a summons to appear before the feared Revolutionary Court, yesterday called on her countrys authorities to ban the use of solitary confinement. The practice amounted to torture and was a tool of unpopular governments, she told a rare conference where several former prisoners gave accounts of their experiences in solitary confinement.
U.S. Is Punishing 8 Chinese Firms for Aiding Iran
New York Times: The Bush administration imposed penalties this month against some of China’s largest companies for aiding Iran’s efforts to improve its ballistic missiles. The move is part of an effort by the White House and American intelligence agencies to identify and slow important elements of Iran’s weapons programs. The White House made no public announcement of the penalties, and the State Department placed a one-page notice on page 133 of The Federal Register early this month listing eight Chinese companies affected.
Bush won’t rule out Iran action over nukes
Reuters: U.S. President George W. Bush says he will not rule out military action against Iran if that country is not more forthcoming about its suspected nuclear weapons programme. “I hope we can solve it diplomatically, but I will never take any option off the table,” Bush said in an interview with NBC News when asked if he would rule out the potential for military action against Iran “if it continues to stonewall the international community about the existence of its nuclear weapons program.”
Statement released by 3,230 Iraqi law experts on Iran opposition
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 17 At a conference in Baghdad today, some 3,230 eminent Iraqi law experts and lawyers released a statement on the legal status of the main Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran, calling it a legitimate movement. The conference in the Babylon Hotel was attended by more than 1,000 Iraqi law experts and political and social figures in support of the Iranian opposition, and by over 50 different media organisations.
Statement released by 3,230 Iraqi law experts on Iran opposition
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Jan. 17 At a conference in Baghdad today, some 3,230 eminent Iraqi law experts and lawyers released a statement on the legal status of the main Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran, calling it a legitimate movement. The conference in the Babylon Hotel was attended by more than 1,000 Iraqi law experts and political and social figures in support of the Iranian opposition, and by over 50 different media organisations.
3,230 Iraqi law experts release statement on Iran opposition
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Jan. 17 At a conference in Baghdad today, some 3,230 eminent Iraqi law experts and lawyers released a statement on the legal status of the main Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran, calling it a legitimate movement. The conference in the Babylon Hotel was attended by more than 1,000 Iraqi law experts and political and social figures in support of the Iranian opposition, and by over 50 different media organisations.
3,230 Iraqi law experts release statement on Iran opposition
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Jan. 17 At a conference in Baghdad today, some 3,230 eminent Iraqi law experts and lawyers released a statement on the legal status of the main Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran, calling it a legitimate movement. The conference in the Babylon Hotel was attended by more than 1,000 Iraqi law experts and political and social figures in support of the Iranian opposition, and by over 50 different media organisations.
