Iran's Nuke Program Chomsky-Approved

And exactly how does he know that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful?

An eminent American intellectual and professor of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, and the author of 'Imperial Ambitions', Noam Chomsky, has emphasized the peaceful and legal nature of Iran's nuclear programme. In an exclusive interview with French language version of al-Ahram magazine, Chomsky said despite the poisonous atmosphere US Vice President Joe Biden tried to create in the Munich Security Conference, Iran's nuclear programme is totally lawful and in accordance with international regulations.

Referring to US President Barack Obama as a blind supporter of the Zionist regime of Israel, Professor Chomsky said Obama's muted response during the 22-day Israeli-imposed war on Gaza was indicative of his pro-Israeli stance.

Chomsky said Obama is pursuing former Bush regime's unilateralist policies in the world, supporting any elections that serve the interests of the White House.

Chomsky gets around these days. He also appears at the Tehran Times site in an actual text of an interview rather than a paraphrase. In this one Chomsky endorses land-for-Hudna:

Well for several years Hamas has been very clear and explicit, repeatedly, that they favor a two state settlement on the international border. They said they would not recognize Israel but they would accept a two state settlement and a prolonged truce, maybe decades, maybe 50 years. Now, that’s not exactly the international consensus but it’s pretty close to it.

If they carefully and explicitly avoid saying that what they are offering is peace, then it isn't, um, peace, is it? We are actually living in a world in which that little insight eludes a prominent linguist.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

IRNA: "Ahmadinejad: Bullying powers should learn lesson from Bush destiny"

What "destiny" would that be? Bush's term of office ended--this isn't Venezuela. Perhaps he means earning the scorn of all "independent" nations, such as North Korea:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that the bullying powers should learn a lesson from Bush’s destiny and avoid deviating from the right path.

Ahmadinejad who is currently in the central provincial capital city of Yazd on the second round of his provincial tours, made the remark in his address a large group of local people on Wednesday.

Addressing bullying powers, he said, "If you deviate from the path of God and insist on commiting your previous crimes and atrocities, your dstiny will be no be better than that of former US president Gorge W. Bush.

The message of the Iranian nation to bullying powers is that they should make good on their mistakes by making fundamental and real changes to serve the interests of nations instead of killing them, he said.

Big powers should respect nations and preserve their rights, he said.

The Iranian nation loves all human beings and advocates peace, dignity and development of all nations, underlined the Iranian president.

“I advise you (big powers) to return to the path of divine prophets and nations,” he said. [...]

The word "divine" just modifies "prophets"; he doesn't mean that there is a United Divine Nations or anything.

Crosposted on Soccer Dad

Press TV (Iran): "Iran prosecutor: Bahais, Israeli agents"

The last Iranian press article I posted about the Baha'is claimed "Tehran tolerates followers of the religion." In the present article, "Iran's Prosecutor General" is quoted as saying "Bahai organizations are illegal":

Iran's Prosecutor General Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi says members of the banned Bahai sect have irrefutable links with Israel.

After Tehran's deputy prosecutor Hassan Haddad announced on Wednesday that seven members of the Bahai sect would soon be tried, the US State Department issued a statement to condemn the decision.

The seven Bahai followers will be tried on charges of "espionage for Israel, desecrating religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic."

The statement by the US State Department condemned the move, saying the espionage charges were "baseless."

"There is irrefutable evidence that adherents of the Bahai sect are in close contact with the enemies of the Iranian nation and have strong links to the Zionist regime," Dorri-Najafabadi explained on Sunday.

The top Iranian judiciary official accused the group of gathering intelligence on Iran and involvement in espionage activities against the Islamic Republic.

"Bahai organizations are illegal and their connections to Israel and their enmity toward Islam and the Islamic system are absolutely certain and their threat against the national security is a proven fact," added the Iranian cleric.

Followers of the Bahai sect -- founded in Iran in 1863 -- are regarded as infidels and have been persecuted both before and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

British "Junior foreign minister Bill Rammell," commenting on these developments, stated:

The Iranian government appears to be increasingly using vaguely worded charges of this nature to target human rights defenders and religious minorities . . . .

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

North Korea on its "Right to Space Development"

In which "anti-DPRK hostile forces" are accused of a "vicious trick":

Recently the U.S. and some other countries claimed that the DPRK is making "preparations for launching long-distance missile."

It is a grave challenge to the DPRK that the anti-DPRK hostile forces spread the rumor about the DPRK's "preparations for launching a long-distance missile" with the "collected information" without proper understanding of the fact.

This is a vicious trick to put a brake on the wheel of not only the DPRK's building of military capability for self-defence but also scientific researches for peaceful purpose under the pretext of missile.

One will come to know later what will be launched in the DPRK.

I bet one will.

Space development is the independent right of the DPRK and the requirement of the developing reality.

The DPRK's latest science and technology developing day by day in conformity with the trend of the present times when the world is advancing toward the road of pioneering space have registered big successes in the field of space development, too.

Dishonest forces are asserting that the DPRK is doing provocative deed in order to draw attention from anyone. But, such assertion itself is an insult to the DPRK.

The DPRK has no need to draw anyone's attention and wants nobody to interfere or meddle in the issue of the Korean Peninsula where only the Koreans live.

Glad that's cleared up.

"Dynamic Struggle for Future of Great Prosperous and Powerful Nation Called for"

That has a familiar sound, doesn't it?:

Leading papers today in their editorials dedicated to General Secretary Kim Jong Il's birthday call upon all servicepersons and people to wage a dynamic struggle for the future of a great prosperous and powerful nation sounding the general advance under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Rodong Sinmun says that Kim Jong Il is the symbol of dignity and victory of Songun Korea and all party members, servicepersons of the Korean People's Army and people are extending the highest glory and warmest gratitude to him who has pursued the ever-victorious Songun politics, ushering in a bright heyday of prosperity on this land.

It goes on:

Kim Jong Il's history of revolutionary leadership is a glorious history of a peerless patriot, a great statesman who has devoted his all to the future of the country and the happiness of all generations to come, a sacred history in which he has glorified the tradition of Mt. Paektu as the eternal treasure of the country and the revolution, a history in which he has firmly defended Korean-style socialism and augmented its might in every way under the banner of Songun and a history in which he has carved out a rosy future of the country and nation through ceaseless creations and changes.

The confidence and optimism of the servicepersons and people in the DPRK who are effecting a fresh great revolutionary surge are the firm conviction that the future of the socialist country remains boundlessly bright as it is led by Kim Jong Il.

The present is pretty dismal, though. It's almost an admission.

The bright future of Songun Korea is guaranteed by his great revolutionary idea, the invincible military force and single-minded unity provided by him and large contingents of reliable successors to the revolution brought up by him.

I think we have a Juche sentence of the day:

The general advance for opening the gate to a great prosperous and powerful nation is sure to win victory as there are a grandiose plan unrolled by Kim Jong Il, a fleet steed for a great revolutionary surge provided in the crucible of the Songun drive and the indomitable mental power of all servicepersons and people who work miracles in hearty response to the call of the Party.

Minju Joson says that the Songun revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered by President Kim Il Sung and led by Kim Jong Il is sure to triumph and Kim Jong Il's era will throw its rays over the world as the era of eternal victory and prosperity.

Fars News: "5700 Iranian Lawyers Indict Israeli Leaders for War Crimes"

Evidently combining lawfare with human wave tactics:

More than 5700 Iranian lawyers indicted Israeli Leaders for their war crimes and genocide in Gaza onslaught based on domestic and international laws.

The lawyers submitted their appeal to Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi.

Israel's recent military operation in Gaza killed some 1,400 Palestinians. Over 50,000 people were also left homeless in the enclave of 1.5 million. Israel's casualties in the conflict were put at 13, including 10 military personnel, while
over 5,500 Palestinians have been wounded.

Shahroudi appointed Iranian Prosecutor General Saeed Mortazavi to pursue the case after receiving the 14-page appeal.

Elsewhere in the Iranian Press, Larijani tries awkwardly to distance Iran from the Holocaust denial that permeates the pronouncements of various Iranian officials (not just Ahmadinejad, contrary to what is stated here) and the Iranian press:

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says the Holocaust is "none of Iran's business" as the country prepares for direct negotiations with the US.

When asked about the Holocaust on Saturday, Larijani said, "As far as this issue is concerned, there are several standpoints but it is none of our business."

He added that it was "unfortunate" that the evaluation of the Holocaust had been made a taboo, the Etemad Melli daily reported Sunday.

This comes as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's fascination with the topic has cost the country dearly.

Since he took office in August 2005, he has publicly doubted the dimensions of the Holocaust, saying it should be open to debate and research.

"The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more than God, religion, and the prophets," President Ahmadinejad said in 2005. [...]

He has such a way with words . . .

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

NY Times: Chavez victory injects "fresh vibrancy into his socialist-inspired revolution"

Yep, that's real language from the opening paragraph of the Times story.

Update: Actual BBC headline: "Venezuelan leader wins key reform."

Tehran Times: Norman Finkelstein calls Israel "satanic"

He is becoming more bilious, if that's possible. This is actually from an interview in a Turkish newspaper. Here is one of his answers:

I think Israel, as a number of commentators pointed out, is becoming an insane state. And we have to be honest about that. While the rest of the world wants peace, Europe wants peace, the U.S. wants peace, but this state wants war, war and war. In the first week of the massacres, there were reports in the Israeli press that Israel did not want to put all its ground forces in Gaza because it was preparing attacks on Iran. Then there were reports it was planning attacks on Lebanon. It is a lunatic state.

One question asked "How do you feel about Israel’s operation in Gaza personally as the son of Holocaust survivors?" His answer:

It has been a long time since I felt any emotional connection with the state of Israel, which relentlessly and brutally and inhumanly keeps these vicious, murderous wars. It is a vandal state. There is a Russian writer who once described vandal states as Genghis Khan with a telegraph. Israel is Genghis Khan with a computer. I feel no emotion of affinity with that state. I have some good friends and their families there, and of course I would not want any of them to be hurt. That said, sometimes I feel that Israel has come out of the boils of the hell, a satanic state. Ninety percent of the population continues to cheer, to exalt and feel proud and heroic. They send a Sherman tank to a playground and torch children . . .

Asked why the U.S. media is so "pro-Israel," he answers that Israel "serves American interests." Then he adds:

And there is, of course, the secondary factor, which is the ethnic element. In many of these newspapers and the media in general, there is a large Jewish presence, and there is a sense of Jewish ethnic solidarity, which plays a role.

But there are also good Jews:

But I think we have to qualify the secondary factor in two ways. We should not lose sight of the primary factor, which is Israel is the client state of U.S. No. 2: In this past war, the liberal Jewish population mostly under the age of 40 completely defected from the war, the massacre. They have been opposed to the massacres from the first day.

That's a relief. We wouldn't want those Muslim readers to come away from this with anti-Jewish feelings or anything.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Iran: "incalculable capabilities," but no nukes

Iran is in a bit of a dilemma. It has the best chance of attaining nuclear weapons if it denies that it is pursuing them. On the other hand, what makes a dictatorship happier than boasting that everyone is afraid of its invincible armed forces?

RGC Navy Commander Brigadier General Morteza Saffari said here Sunday that Iran's powerful missiles capabilities and the combat readiness of its forces have left the enemies in a state of shock and bewilderment.

IRGC Navy commander made the remarks in a meeting with a group of Navy officials and personnel on Sunday.

The incalculable capabilities of Iranian missile system have become a strong deterrent, he said.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, he said that the achievements and success of the Iranian people during the period are among the blessinge of the almighty God and efforts and endeavor of all Basiji (volunteer) forces.

Global arrogance and bullying powers have always confronted religions and divine values to achieve their sinister goals, he said. [...]

In the meantime a headline at Fars News quotes IAEA Mohammed ElBaradei:

In one of his latest reports to the Board of Governors, ElBaradei confirmed "the non-diversion" of nuclear material in Iran and added that the agency had found no "components of a nuclear weapon" or "related nuclear physics studies" in the country.

See, all the "shock and bewilderment" is only due to the missiles and not related to what sort of warheads might be mounted on them. Who needs nukes when "Post-Revolution Youngsters Foiled Enemies' Plots":

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, in a message to the Union of Islamic Associations of Iranian students in the Indian sub-continent, hailed on Sunday the brilliant achievements of the Iranian youth. According to IRNA, in the message on the occasion of the Union's 25th anniversary, the Supreme Leader said the Iranian nation is now investing even greater hope in its highly educated, brilliant youngsters than before, seeing that they are conquering the new heights of success with every passing day.

Pointing out that the policy of the enemies of the Iranian nation in the past had been to destroy the young generation by seducing it into corruption and disappointment, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the post-revolution youngsters have managed to foil the plot through their vigilance and sense of responsibility.

The Supreme Leader further urged the Iranian students, including those studying in the Indian sub-continent, to focus on learning, research and innovative ideas as their duty.

I'm sure that inspired them.

Retrospective: Holocaust Denial in the Iranian Press

I've been wanting to do this for a while. Now that the new U.S. presidential administration agrees that Iran really is seeking nuclear weapons, it seems to be an important time to emphasize the delusional and paranoid nature of the Khomeinist entity. A recent Daily Kos diarist, trying to downplay the idea of Iran as a threat, writes:

As far as "denying the Holocaust," Ahmadinejad has questioned the number of Jews killed (which is dumb and objectionable, but not much more objectionable than the American leaders who pretend the death toll in the Iraq "holocaust" is one-tenth what it really is), but mainly has objected to the use of the Holocaust as an excuse to punish people (the Palestinians) who had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials do emphasize the connection between the Holocaust and the Palestinians, but there is a bit more going on than questioning the numbers of people killed. (It is always necessary to remember, for instance, that Holocaust denial presupposes a conspiracist worldview.) Let's do some reviewing of Holocaust denial in the Iranian Press. All of these were originally posted in English at Iranian news sites. Some of the links to older articles have expired and in those cases I just link to Judeopundit posts, where all of these articles were noted close to their appearance. Otherwise, most of these can still be viewed at the original sites:

IRNA, c. 2/11/06:

Secretary General of Int'l Congress to Support Palestinian Intifada Ali-Akbar Mohtashamipour emphasizing need for survey and research on Holocaust, said here Monday, "Results of surveys so far show Holocaust is no more than a myth."

IRIB, 2/12/06:

French historian and professor of Sorbonne University Robert Faurisson said that the 'myth of Holocaust' fabricated by the Zionists would not survive.

Addressing the International Confernce on 'World Vision on Holocaust', Faurisson said that the gas chambers allegedly used by Hitler to massacre the Jews did never exist.

IRNA, c. 2/12/06:

A French scholar George Tail [sic] said on Tuesday that holocaust does not exist.

"The motivations of the advocates of holocaust in spreading the rumour and its presentation as a fact should be investigated," said Tail in an interview with IRNA on the sidelines of the International Conference on Holocaust, Global Perspective.

Tail said western states have fabricated holocaust to justify immigration of Jews to Palestine and doing injustice against the the Palestinian nation.

He said a number of scholars such as Rossener, Artur, Isak Arbuz and Robert Faurisson have proved falsehood of gas chambers.

Fars News, c. 12/5/06:

Deputy Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mohammadi Tuesday said Iran, as an unbiased state, would accept the truthfulness of the Holocaust if substantiating evidence is presented in this regard.

IRIB Radio, c. 12/30/06:

The Holocaust Myth and the Massacre of Palestinians Conference began work last Wednesday in Cairo and was considerably welcomed by researchers and politicians. Leader of the Arab Socialist Party of Egypt Wahid Al Aqsari in a speech said the claim that Jews were killed by Hitler comes to portray Zionists as innocent and save them from being condemned for their crimes against Palestinians. He added that their claim is an exaggeration because only 3 million people were killed in World War II. He also said there is no sign that there were gas cambers in Nazi Germany.

IRIB, 1/17/07:

Ahmadinejad defended his status on Holocaust, saying that if Holocaust existed, where did it take place?

IRIB, 1/24/07:

President Ahmadinejad termed the Holocaust a historical question saying, "If it is true, why they do not authorize research." [...]

Reminding that the root cause of establishment of the Zionist regime was a historical event, he said, the whole issue is fake and is aimed to create a hegemonic system.

Paul Grubach at Press TV, 1/15/08:

. . . the Holocaust legend really is a weak and flimsy ideology that cannot be defended with reason and science.

Mehr News, 2/8/09:

In an interview with the Tehran Times and the Mehr News Agency conducted on January 27 during his recent trip to Iran, Dr. [Gerald] Toben said there is no evidence that Jews were killed by gas in concentration camps during World War II.

He noted that a gas chamber expert from the United States has said that the buildings at concentration camps that were allegedly used as gas chambers did not have airtight seals and did not have high smokestacks to dissipate the poison gas so they could not have been used for this purpose . . .

. . . the Holocaust is being used as a propaganda weapon by the Talmudic Zionist racist regime in Israel.

IRNA, 2/12/09:

After the World War II, Britain which sought to dominate the region invented Holocaust to prepare ground for establishment of fabricated regime named Israel . . .

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

(North) Korean News: "Superior Election System of DPRK"

You've probably guessed by now that I derive an odd enjoyment from totalitarian blather. This one is particularly delectable. Not only is the stuff about lack of coercion obviously a complete lie, but the article gives the game away in the last paragraph:

[...] On the principle of direct election, the voter casts his or her ballot directly to a candidate for deputy. It, unlike indirect voting, makes it possible to convey the will of the voters directly to the deputies to make the people's power bodies democratic power bodies representing the will of all the voters.

This principle is guaranteed by practical measures such as strictly banning voting by proxy, installing special sub-constituencies at hospitals, sanatoria, major railway stations and other places, organizing itinerant voting for citizens unable to come to the voting booths and declaring the election day a holiday.

Secret ballot enables the voters to express their free will on the candidates without any restriction. It guarantees a fair and aboveboard election by letting every voter express his or her will freely without subject to coercion, surveillance or threat by anyone.

These principles of election in the DPRK are ones embodying socialist democracy, democracy of the highest form, which make it possible to firmly build up the power bodies at all levels with fine representatives of the working class and working people of other strata, make the power bodies direct spokespersons of the will of the popular masses and stand the popular masses as the genuine masters of power.

Now the entire army and people are full of enthusiasm to powerfully demonstrate once again the might of single-minded unity in the DPRK and fortify the people's power like a monolith by taking part in the election as one man.

Yeah, like a monolith. That's one free election.

Update: The latest editions of Haveil Havalim and Shiny Happy Dhimmi are full of enthusiasm to demonstrate once again the might of single-minded unity.

Blow to the head Ayatollah Jannati's favorite metaphor

A public demonstration, for instance, was a "sever [sic] punch against the head of the Americans and the Israelis." That's a good sign that you are dealing with the press of a repressive regime. Everything, no matter how purely political or trivial, is a giant victory:

Ayatollah Ahmad jannati lauded the presence of the Iranian people in the Bahman 22 marches and said," The noble and prosperous Iranian nation hit another sever punch against the head of the Americans and the Israelis with that move, starting a soft enemy breaking plan against those who are planning for overthrowing the system softly."

The Alim stressed that the media should disclose the overthrow plots of the enemy and introduce proper methods to the people to neutralize these plots.

Ayatollah Jannati said the enemy could not believe the mass presence of the people in the Bahman 22-marches adding that their news agencies saw the events but they tried to broadcast false information in this regard.

"The enemy should know that it could not force the united 70 million Iranian people surrender to it," Jannati added.

He noted that the Iranian people showed their faith in the Revolution and the Founder of the Islamic Revolution. They also renew their enmity towards the American false policies. [...]

Gotta renew that enmity. Jannati is evidently on a roll with that head-blow imagery:

Provisional Friday Prayers leader of Tehran said here Friday in his second sermon launching Omid (hope) Satellite was hammer that was hit over heads of United States and Israel.

In this case maybe we should take violence of that imagery seriously.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Haddad Adel: "Britain which sought to dominate the region invented Holocaust to prepare ground for establishment of fabricated regime named Israel"

Just in case you thought Ahmadinejad had a monopoly on Khomeinist looniness:

Head of Majlis Commission for Cultural Affairs Gholam Ali Haddad Adel said on Thursday that the late Imam Khomeini led anti-Zionist movement from its beginning.

Haddad Adel made the remarks in the martyrdom anniversary of Imad Mogniyeh on Thursday.

He said that the Zionist officials had predicted that the Islamic Revolution in Iran would leave crucial impacts on regional developments.

After the World War II, Britain which sought to dominate the region invented Holocaust to prepare ground for establishment of fabricated regime named Israel, he said.

The Brits were behind it, not the Jews?

He said that the UK plot led the Zionist occupiers to commit crimes against humanity in Palestine.

The US government should understand that its unconditional support for Israeli war crimes in Palestine has brought hatred for the US officials worldwide, he said.

The US officials claim to support democracy but in practice they take action against the democratically elected government of Hamas and support the Zionist occupiers, he said.

Imagine that, claiming to support democracy but opposing Hamas. Will they ever learn . . .

North Korea: U.S. and Israel "the heinous enemies of humankind," Iran achieveing "great success"

The title of this is "Israel's Use of WMDs against Palestinian Civilians Flayed." I guess the mighty treasure-sword of Songun is good for flaying things:

Israeli aggressors were reported recently not only to have indiscriminately fired white phosphorous shells as well as depleted uranium shells the use of which is strictly banned internationally against civilian areas, but used DIME newly developed by the U.S. during their invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Minju Joson Wednesday observes in a signed commentary in this regard: They fired missiles and perpetrated saturation air raids over a peaceful city and attacked it with tanks under the pretext of wiping out Hamas armed forces. Not content with this operation, they perpetrated such genocide by using even internationally banned weapons. These are the worst human rights abuses in the world.

Citing facts to prove that Israel has been hell-bent on the military aggression against Palestine and mass killings of its civilians by use of lethal weapons supplied by the U.S., while behaving in the same way as the U.S. has abused human rights, perpetrating high-handed and arbitrary acts in utter disregard of international law and human rights, the commentary goes on:

The indiscriminate use of WMDs by the U.S. imperialists and the Israeli aggressors defying the protest of the world public fully disclosed the bestial nature of those who are keen on aggression and war and mass killings. This once again proves that they are the man-killers of the same type whose job is to abuse human rights and the heinous enemies of humankind.

The U.S. oft-repeats "respect for human rights" under the eyes of the world but it utterly disregards the idea of abiding by international law and respecting human rights when it comes to its aggressive and predatory aim.

A typical example of this is that the U.S. has not only used the above-said WMDs but delivered them to Israel, thus driving it to indiscriminately using them against civilians and causing horrible disasters.

Israel is making much pain to cover up its human rights abuses but it can never escape from a stern judgment by the justice-loving international community.

The Zionist entity isn't Juche. Who merits North Korea's great powerful prosperous approval in the spirit of Mt. Paektu? Iran!

. . . the victory of the revolution the Iranian people have made great successes in the efforts to foil the moves of hostile forces for pressure and interference in internal affairs, defend the sovereignty of the country and the dignity of the nation and achieve its welfare.

That doesn't quite have the zing of the glowing reports of North Korea's own miraculous successes and undying feats, but it is pretty admiring. Speaking of miracles . . .

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Kim attends another sycophantic performance

That "greatest national auspicious holiday in February" is Kim's birthday:

The art performance "Song of best wishes to the General" was given by agricultural workers at the Mangyongdae Farm on Tuesday on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

The performance started with the ode and chorus "Glory to General Kim Jong Il."

Put on the stage were numbers representing the immense joy and best wishes of the agricultural workers and other people of the DPRK greeting the greatest national auspicious holiday in February.

The performers in such numbers as the female solo "Frost Flowers" and the Kayagum ensemble "Whenever We Think of the Road of Songun" sang high praises of the immortal exploits Kim Jong Il has performed by defending the dignity and sovereignty of the country and achieving the national prosperity for all the generations to come, holding aloft the red flag of the revolution associated with the whole life of President Kim Il Sung.

The Jangsaenap and song "Arirang of Army-People Unity," the solo play "Legend about Taehongdan," the mixed chorus "We Have Planted Apple Trees on Mountains," the drum-beating and song "Let's Dash Forward to Build a Great Prosperous and Powerful Nation" and other numbers fully reflected the changes brought about by servicepersons and people in the socialist rural areas through their concerted efforts under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and the patriotic devotion of the agricultural workers.

The performance was appreciated by Chairman of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea Kang Chang Uk, officials concerned and agricultural workers.

IRIB: "Iranian Jews renew vow with Islamic Republic"

Nothing makes Jews happier than Khomeinism:

Thousands of Jewish citizens of Shiraz, Fars province southern Iran attended the Bahman 22 rallies alongside other Iranians to announce their support to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory in Iran, the Iranian Jews shouted slogans to express disgust at America and Zionist regime and their Satanic policies.

Head of the Shiraz Jewish Community told IRIB, "We participate in today's rallies alongside Iranian Muslims to announce to the Zionists that our religion is a religion of brotherhood and equality."

"We are not like the Zionists and Americans who oppress other human beings," he reiterated.

We like the Holocaust denial from the official press agencies . . .

Roseanne on Israel's election

"hatred of hamas" is the post title as well as the beginning of the first sentence. Roseanne must have written this in about 45 seconds. By Roseanne standards, it comes unusually close to offering a coherent argument, essentially the old argument about playing into the hands of the "enemies of peace" that we used to hear in the Oslo days. If only there was a real leftist in charge. Hamas would just melt away:

hatred of hamas

has successfully fractured the israeli vote. This is Hamas' dream come true!
They(hamas) are able to pocket public money and buy weapons instead of build schools a while longer. They are able to enrich themselves at the Palestinian people's expense and stay in the business of worldwide munitions sales, just like Israel and the US. This is the biggest scam ever.
There is no real Israeli peace candidate, and no real plan to withdraw from Gaza, so Hamas will continue to fire rockets and attack israeli civilians, and help its anti-Zionist friends to attack jews worldwide.
I wish israeli's realized that by not choosing peace, they are further inviting more war against themselves.
Replacing old unworkable political paradigms with a whole new concept of cooperative problem solving is the way to go in the middle east.
Israel needs palestinian workers, its economy depends on them.

This is followed by another post in which the title begins a sentence. The whole post reads "hashem: please allow livni to win." Advice to Roseanne: In a supplicatory mode, it is a good idea to capitalize the word "Hashem."

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

MPAC-UK on Satanic anniversaries

To read this is to have one's mind blown, along with most of the adjoining wall. In the very first paragraph we learn of the existence of "collective Semtex," not the famous explosive so beloved of the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, but a Semtex that involves bad publicity for "ill-advised" Authoricide-inciting Khomeinist Fatwas:

It was 20 years ago that the Satanic Verses book exploded on the British mainland. The liberal, right wing and Zionist commentators and elites took their collective Semtex and made sure Ayatollah Khomeni's ill-advised fatwa was used to demonise the whole Muslim world and British Muslims in particular.

Salman Rushdie, in self-righteous indignation, took the role of a noble writer, hounded and hunted, forced to live in secrecy with MI5 protection bravely defying the worst of Islam's collective reactionary zeal.

I don't think he had too much choice about that role.

Poor Salman Rushdie, 'He must be supported for his stand for freedom of speech. Did you see how 'they' burned the book!'

They never mentioned how he buckled and changed Midnight's Children when Indra Gandhi threatened to sue. Well done you, Salman. You stood up for your right to defend. They didn't mention how Penguin burnt the entire stock of books by the French cartoonist Sine 'Massacre', which was full of blasphemous anti-Christ cartoons.

Salman (can I call him that? Well, OK, Rushdie) has never stood up to the Italian authorities for banning the excellent anti-colonial film 'Omar Mukhtar, Lion of the Desert.' Or how about the incident where a play in New York commemorating the tragic killing of Rachel Corrie by an Israeli Caterpillar bulldozer, was cancelled due to Jewish pressure? Or how about the craven silence by the BBC, when Auntie was told what they could broadcast and what they couldn't by the Jewish Board of Deputies?

Or what about the fact that the Cartoon Jihad succeeded in intimidating countless newspapers or the recent attempt to silence Mark Steyn or Khalid Bin Mahfouz's many lawsuits?

Of course not. The only debate that they care about is the right to offend Muslims. If we get offended then tough, we have to accept free speech. If the Jewish community get offended, then it's a sensitive issue. If the west ban a film, it's quietly dropped. If a Muslim country bans a book, it's an affront to 'our way of life'.

That's right, forcing an author to live under 24-hour guard is just book-banning.

There is no debate about how Muslim groups have been targeted by Zionists trying to silence our voices. There is no debate about the Lib Dem Baroness Jenny Tonge who empathised with the Palestinians and was removed from her front bench position.

The 20th Anniversary of the Satanic Verses will be used to beat the Muslim community over the head again, however we should never for a second think it's justified or dignify it with admission. And as Brits we must turn this into a debate about the right to speak and at every opportunity expose the hypocrisy of those who are going to give Muslims a trial by media.

They will try to beat us into a state of submission but this time, we are going to beat back.

This time we are ready.

I hope that doesn't involve some variety of Semtex, collective or otherwise.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Toben in Iranian Press: "Holocaust is being used as a propaganda weapon by the Talmudic Zionist racist regime in Israel"

Mehr News gives this the title "Zionism is empowered by people who bow to the Jews’ pressure: Toben." Although this is an interview with a visiting foreign "scholar," the two official Iranian press agencies credited with this interview obviously approve of every word. So this is a good example of the Khomeinist worldview in all its loony glory:

Dr. Gerald Fredrick Toben is a scholar who has conducted research into the details of the official story of the Holocaust.

Dr. Toben established the Adelaide Institute in Australia in 1994 as a center for conducting his research.

In an interview with the Tehran Times and the Mehr News Agency conducted on January 27 during his recent trip to Iran, Dr. Toben said there is no evidence that Jews were killed by gas in concentration camps during World War II.

He noted that a gas chamber expert from the United States has said that the buildings at concentration camps that were allegedly used as gas chambers did not have airtight seals and did not have high smokestacks to dissipate the poison gas so they could not have been used for this purpose.

Following are some excerpts of the interview:

"Yesterday we had a book launch in Tehran. The book directly focuses on the Holocaust and what is happening in Palestine, especially the 22 days of a real holocaust occurring to the Palestinians in Gaza.

"That was significant, that we had in Iran the focus and the bringing together of the Holocaust with what is happening to the Palestinians as perpetrated by the Zionist regime of Israel.

"That the 27th of January is marked as a Holocaust memorial day indicates that the Holocaust is being used as a propaganda weapon by the Talmudic Zionist racist regime in Israel.

"This means that we cannot forget that the story called the Holocaust must be questioned, that we must focus on the content of what the Holocaust is all about.

"And it rests on three pillars: one, that six million Jews were killed by the National Socialists during the Second World War; two, that this was a state policy, a state extermination program; and three, that the murder weapon was a gas.

"Revisionists have focused on these three pillars, as they should do in any democracy where there is free expression. But these revisionists would then be very quickly silenced, and there were a number of concepts used to silence discussion. And that brings us to the fundamental problem that was in part certainly addressed during the Holocaust conference in Tehran in December 2006 when the president, Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, asked: 'Is the holocaust not a historical event?' And the answer is yes. Then, like any historical event, why can we not ask questions? Why can we not evaluate?

"The conference was designed not to revise the Holocaust story, the narrative, but merely to review, and the Western world did not understand this, the subtlety of difference between review and revision.

"The so-called democratic Western world was in uproar that Iran did question or review aspects of this Holocaust narrative, this historical event.

"And that puts into sharp focus the morale and intellectual decline, the morale and intellectual bankruptcy of the Western world."

Pointing out that Zionism is empowered by the complicity of non-Jews, Dr. Toben said, "I am not angry about the Jews, I am angry about the people who bow to the Jews’ pressure."

And his sponsor regime is about to have nukes.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Tehran Times: "Destroy a corporation for Palestine"

According to this article, "It’s time for some economic jihad." Via Mehr News:

. . . it’s not easy to be a jihadi. The struggle must be fought on the physical, mental, and spiritual planes. True jihad must be fought on all fronts. It must be waged on the cultural, military, intellectual, ideological, psychological, spiritual, and economic fronts.

But in this era of globalization, it is essential that Muslims learn how to correctly conduct economic jihad. [...]

There is currently a campaign calling for a boycott of Israeli products. This is a good idea, but we should expand the campaign and make it a boycott of all corporations that are financing the war on Islam.

Although it is important to target all enemy corporations, in order to achieve a quick initial victory, which would boost morale, we should especially target one giant multinational corporation.

We should first ask the executives of that corporation to stop financing the war on Islam. If they agree, we should take it off the boycott list. If they refuse, we should call for a worldwide boycott of the targeted corporation’s products with the goal of bankrupting the corporation.

The global economic crisis will help us. Many major corporations have gone bankrupt during the global economic meltdown of the past year.

This economic jihad is a novel way to turn the crisis into an opportunity.

A corporation from the U.S. military-industrial complex would be a very good target to begin with. [...]

Preferably one that sells weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Of course, the enemies of Islam will say that economic jihad is economic terrorism, but when that happens we must act swiftly on the ideological front to prove that such actions are totally legal. After all, people have been organizing economic boycotts for many years.

So, Muslim brothers and sisters, let us take up the struggle of economic jihad now. Destroy a corporation for Palestine.

Catchy slogan.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Some Juche paragraphs

This blog has been almost singlehandedly covering the progress of the Juche-idea. This time I thought I would do it round-up style:

Kim saw some singers and dancers:

The performers truthfully represented the revolutionary stamina and optimism, the faith in sure victory and the indomitable will of the Korean people dynamically advancing towards the eminence of a great prosperous and powerful nation, holding high the torch of a new revolutionary surge lit by Kim Jong Il. They, at the same time, powerfully demonstrated the might of the art troupe which has grown to be a revolutionary art group under the care of the party.

A big philosophical statement: "Harmonious Whole in Which Leader Believes in People and People Follow Leader":

The Korean people who have triumphantly covered the long road of revolution, firmly believing only in their leader are still working miracles and effecting innovations incessantly in the building of a great, prosperous and powerful nation, bringing another revolutionary upsurge with the might of harmonious whole.

Kim saw other performances:

The performers truthfully represented the iron faith and will of the servicepersons to devotedly safeguard the headquarters of the revolution and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche that started in the thick forests of Mt. Paektu with arms.

They, at the same time, fully exhibited such enthusiasm and spirit with which they encouraged the soldiers to wage struggles and perform feats by conducting militant frontline agitation at the sides of trenches, drill grounds and construction sites, thus clearly proving the validity and vitality of the WPK's policy of conducting art activities the way the anti-Japanese guerrillas did and strikingly demonstrating the might of soldiers' art group which creditably performs its sacred mission as a bugler in the Songun era by instilling the ardent love for the Party and the leader and the country and the people into the servicepersons.

An editorial called for implementing a slogan:

Rodong Sinmun today editorially calls for vigorously carrying on the struggle for the bright future of the socialist fatherland under the uplifted slogan "Let us live not merely for today but for tomorrow!" [...]

It is the great outlook on the revolution, the outlook on the future of General Secretary Kim Jong Il that the revolution is the cause to keep the love for the people flourish and that one should devote everything to the future of the country and the happiness of all generations to come although one may not enjoy life's pleasure in one's generation.

Kim visited fertilizer:

In order to solve the food scarcity it is necessary to send a lot of fertilizers to the countryside, he noted, adding that this heavy yet honorable task is devolved to the workers of Hungnam.

And so on . . .

Update: The latest editions of Haveil Havalim and Shiny Happy Dhimmi truthfully represent revolutionary stamina and optimism, faith in sure victory and indomitable will.

Nautical propaganda

There is something about aid ships, or supposed aid ships, that makes effective propaganda. The following story got a lot of coverage--here's Syria's take on it. Syria's News agency declares "Syria Condemns the Israeli Navy Piracy Against Lebanese Fraternity Ship":

A Syrian Foreign Ministry Official Source on Thursday strongly condemned the Israeli navy piracy against Lebanese Fraternity Ship which has been loaded with humanitarian relieve aid for the besieged Palestinian people in Gaza.

The source added in a statement to SANA: "Syria holds Israel fully responsible for the safety of the ship , its crew , and all passengers , and demands the international community and all bodies concerned with humanitarian affairs, to condemn this piracy , to act immediately for the release of all the detainees , and to commit Israel to allowing the Palestinian people access to the humanitarian aid on board the ship.

Too bad the ship wasn't Iranian. The Iranian Students News Agency reports: "Israel did not dare to attack Iran's aid vessel for Gaza: official":

Despite Israel's several threats for attacks over the Iranian ship carrying humanitarian aids for Gaza, it did not dare to attack the vessel, said the supervisor of the Iranian Red Cross delegation to Gaza, Ahmad Nawab.

The ship's arrival in Gaza waters which faced Israel's oppositions left desired effects and "we could break the spell of sending aids to Gaza through pressures on Egypt and Saudi Arabia," Nawab said in an interview with Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA).

The move has made Gazans heartened; he noted adding Hamas officials have said the issue was a source of hope and that Iran's flag flying among Israeli warships was a practical action for help to Gazans which showed Iran is ready for any sort of help to these people.

The ship carrying 2000 tones of medicines and food left for Gaza from the Iranian southern port of Bandar Abbas on December 29th. It spent 33 days in international waters and stopped near Gaza for 20 days, he added.

He then said the shipment has been later sent to Lebanon for preserving the foodstuff and delivering them to Gazans through Lebanon's Red Cross Association and that of Iran in the country.

The ship was fully controlled by Israel's helicopters and airplanes, he said adding it was several times threatened by the Israel, but it will never dare to attack Iran and whatever belongs to it. [...]

Hamas "belongs to it."

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

"Korea Gripped with Boundless Emotion and Joy"

I don't really understand this whole business. If Kim already holds supreme executive power, why was he just nominated for a seat in a legislative body, even a "Supreme" one? The idea is that it hastens the day when Kim will personally hold every position in the whole government? Anyway, if it makes them boundlessly happy, who am I to complain?

Upon hearing the news that General Secretary Kim Jong Il was nominated as a candidate for deputy to the 12th Supreme People's Assembly at Constituency No. 333, the entire army and people are full of great happiness and pride of having the peerlessly great man as the leader of the nation.

Anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Hwang Sun Hui said that the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters were very happy to hear the news. She went on:

A few days ago the officers and men of the People's Army nominated Kim Jong Il as a candidate for deputy to the SPA with boundless reverence. This is the unanimous will and ardent desire of the entire people.

On receiving this happy news with the February 16, the greatest holiday of the nation, ahead, I can hardly repress the swelling emotion.

We anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters will uphold the leader's plan of building a great, prosperous and powerful nation in the van of the people.

Vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet Thae Jong Su, noting that having nominated Kim Jong Il as a candidate for deputy to the SPA this time again is the unanimous will of the entire army and people and a great auspicious event of the nation, said:

Kim Jong Il has been leading the Party and the revolution along one road of victory for scores of years, thus performing great feats which will remain immortal in the history of the country.

He is the peerlessly great man who has defended firmly and developed in depth President Kim Il Sung's Juche-oriented idea and line on state building and demonstrated the dignity and might of the DPRK all over the world with his original Songun politics.

All the officers and men of the People's Army and the people came to have as a firm faith through life that he is the destiny and future of our country and nation and the symbol of all the victories. [...]

Yud Shevat

I had a little computer time this morning and I should have posted something then because it is a little late to be doing it now, but I don't want Yud Shevat to come and go without something on the blog noting it. Yud Shevat is the yahrtzeit of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe and the day when the contemporary Lubavitcher Rebbe assumed the position of Rebbe. I just got back from a farbrengen, a chassidic gathering, in honor of this occasion. The Chabad.org blog comments:

For the Rebbe’s countless followers and admirers, this is a day for introspection and recommitment to the ideals that the Rebbe championed throughout the decades of his leadership: love of G-d, Torah, and every Jew; and utilizing these tools to bring holiness and meaning to every corner of the world.

See here also.

Juan Cole detects irony

You probably know that Iran has launched its "Omid satellite." The Iranian press keeps calling it "home made," which I don't imagine means that it was made in somebody's home, but that it did not use any foreign technology. (Not even North Korean?) This event elicits the following analysis from Juan Cole, the Informed Commentator:

US, German and other Western officials expressed anxiety that the same technology used in the launches could also be used to develop an Iranian ballistic missile.

Iran insists that it is developing the delivery technology for peaceful civilian purposes.

It is striking that Western anxieties about Iran often depict the regime as "medieval," but what they are really afraid of appears on the contrary to be Iranian modernity.

"Western anxieties" involve, precisely, concern over the combination of medieval sensibilities with modern weapons technology. Juan's point involves seeing Iranian advances in aeronautics simply as "modernity." Isn't it "striking" that Iran itself also insists that its space program, nuclear program, etc., are merely modernity?

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

A bunch of platitudes about youth and some Israel bashing--it must be the Syrian press!

SANA, the official Syrian news agency is often just boring. Lately, however, their totalitarian blather has acquired some panache:

During the opening of the 5th Arab Forum on Tuesday, which is organized by the Revolutionary Youth Union, Member of the al-Baath Party Regional Leadership Shahnaz Fakoush stressed that youths are one of the main pillars for building the civilization and future of nations which seek to achieve development, bolster their national culture, and resist hegemony.

Did I miss the transition to the next paragraph?

Fakoush underlined the reasons that forced Israel to end the holocaust it committed in Gaza Strip, mainly the legendary resistance of the defenseless people of Gaza who confronted the brutal Israeli aggression with only their faith in the righteousness of their struggle.

She underlined the role of the resistance culture in foiling enemy plots, calling on Arab youth to adopt this culture and spread it among generations as it guarantees the Arab nation's just hopes.

Chairman of the Revolutionary Youth Union Dr. Adnan Arbash underlined the important role of youths in bolstering the values of the Arab society and preserving the Arab nation's cultural identity in the face of globalization and hegemony.

Just how youthful is Dr. Adnan, anyway? Why do I picture him as middle-aged?

Members of the participating delegations expressed pride in Syria's stances that support the Arab causes and aim at boosting their standing among peoples. They also praised the resilience of the people of Gaza in the face of the Israeli holocaust.

Later, the activities of the three-day forum kicked off, with the participation of 250 Arab youths.

Can't have an Arab Youth Forum without them.

Korean News explains Kim's greatness

You know all the reasons already, but it is nice to have them all in one place:

[...] Kim Jong Il is a peerlessly great man and distinguished statesman and strategist who adorned his nearly half century-long history of revolutionary leadership with an immortal heroic epic, the editorial says, and continues:

The glorious path of victory covered by the WPK reflects his energetic leadership. Every annual of the sacred Songun revolution that has emerged victorious generation after generation is shining with his extraordinary military wisdom and iron will. The history of the Republic characterized by the greatest successes made in the efforts to achieve eternal prosperity is also associated with his total dedication and tireless efforts.

He represents the destiny and future of our country and nation and a symbol of all victories. This is the unshakable faith our army and people enshrined through their life experiences.

He is not only a great guardian who has firmly protected the Republic's sovereign dignity with his iron will and pluck but a prominent leader who has ushered in the great heyday of the country's prosperity with his extraordinary patriotic zeal and a kind-hearted father of all the servicepersons and people as he has glorified the Republic as a country of single-minded unity with his noble virtues.

He has performed great feats to shine long in the history of the country by steering the WPK and the revolution for several decades.

The above-said nomination is an expression of absolute trust and ardent reverence for him enshrined by all the servicepersons in the course of their protracted historic struggle.

The DPRK will shed its rays as a socialist state of Juche with invincible might and a dignified and prosperous power as it is led by Kim Jong Il who is the most prominent statesman and the invincible and iron-willed commander in our era.

Nay, platinum-willed . . .

"enemies of the Islamic Revolution during the past thirty years have struggled to influence the Iranian nation under their heinous thoughts"

Something keeps blocking my heinous thought-waves, must . . . re-intensify . . . effort . . .

Deputy Head of the Armed Forces Headquarters for Cultural and Defense Publicity, Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri said the enemies of the Islamic Revolution during the past thirty years have struggled to influence the Iranian nation under their heinous thoughts. According to IRIB, in a press conference on Tuesday, Brigadier General Jazayeri added that start of the fourth decade of the Islamic Revolution, despite the efforts of the adversaries of the Islamic Republic system, indicates that the Iranian nation has stood firm and steadfast and has a brilliant future.

Jazayeri who was speaking to reporters on the Psychological-Operation conference titled "Future Engineering and Research" that is to be held next month, said the Zionists are trying to influence leaders and peoples of other countries through a psychological propaganda in order to mislead them. He underlined that the hegemonic front led by the US and Israel, are now clearly in decline and liberal democracy will meet the same fate as communism.

Jazayeri said: we should never downplay the enemy, adding that the enemies of the Islamic Iran through various ways including the cold war and soft war are trying to mislead the masses, but these plots will fail thanks to people's vigilance. On the Zionist entity's defeats in the wars it imposed on with Hezbollah and Hamas, he said the world is witnessing a new development that is the oppression of Gaza people on one hand and the failure of despotism on the other hand. On the goals of "Future Engineering and Research" conference, the Iranian official said becoming familiar with the methods and tools of the enemy's psychological war and finding new defense and counter-defense techniques are among the goals of the conference.

Doin' the Songun shuffle

Obviously you aren't going to do any decadent Imperialist dancing to the tune of "Happiness of Being under the Care of Respected Supreme Commander":

A dancing party of servicepersons of the Korean People's Army (KPA) was held in the plaza of the April 25 House of Culture on Sunday to celebrate Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il's nomination as a candidate for deputy to the 12th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK.

Present there were Kim Kyok Sik, chief of the KPA General Staff, Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kim Jong Gak, first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, and leading officials of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces and officers and men of the KPA.

The dancing party began with playing of melody of "Song of General Kim Jong Il".

Servicepersons presented sea of dances to the tune of such songs as "Soldiers Offer Honor", [that sinuous melody] "Let's Sing of Our Pride in Being under the Guidance of the General" and "Fortune of Korea".

Also songs [such as the driving, stomping] "Happiness of Being under the Care of Respected Supreme Commander", "The Blue Sky over My Country" and "Arirang of Prosperity" reflecting optimism of the defenders of the country, builders of a rich and powerful country who are demonstrating the matchless spirit with high pride of being soldiers of the illustrious commander were played to whip up the mood of the dancing party.

Lively dancing to the tune of "Thunder over Jong Il Peak", "Song of Election", and [the soaring] "We Will Defend the Leadership of the Revolution at the Cost of Our Lives" and other songs, all the participants in the party renewed their determination to firmly defend the DPRK with arms under the Songun leadership of the Supreme Commander.

In a related story, North Korea held a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran:

Jong Yong Su, minister of Labour, who is chairman of the DPRK-Iran Friendship Association, addressing the meeting, said that the Iranian people have registered many successes in the efforts to develop economy and improve the standard of the people's living since the victory of revolution, smashing the U.S. hostile moves against Iran.

Just like North Korea!

Ahmadinejad: "Islamic revolution blah blah blah innovation blah blah blah"

Some totalitarian blather:

The Islamic Revolution and its victory was the Iranian people's most significant innovation in the contemporary era, said the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sunday morning.

Speaking during the ceremonies of the national festival for innovation and prosperity in Tehran, President Ahmadinejad added: "Innovation and scientific work needs courage and not being afraid of obstacles and domineering powers' humiliating propaganda."

"It is courage that helps innovators conquer new arenas," Ahmadinejad stressed.

"Our people's approach to science was an innovation by itself and the methods which the Iranian people used in their great struggle were full of innovation," said the President.

In another part of his speech, President Ahmadinejad said the organization in charge of affairs relating to the Iranian scientific elite should be active in removing any obstacles Iranian innovators may encounter.

He made these remarks after inspecting an exhibition featuring innovation and prosperity in the country Sunday morning.

He said the establishment of a fund to support the innovative projects by the Iranian scientific elites was a must to lower the financial risks they might face in this regard.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated an exhibition and a festival featuring innovation and prosperity in the country Sunday morning.

The opening of the two events coincides with the second day of the nationwide ceremonies to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran. [...]

The latest editions of Haveil Havalim and Shiny Happy Dhimmi are not afraid of obstacles and domineering powers' humiliating propaganda.

Triumphant round-up

There's a lot of victory in the news these days. (North) Korean News, for instance, features a story about the "Ever-Victorious Banner of Korean Revolution." It concludes:

Fully aware of their mission of the times and conscious that to faithfully uphold and implement the Songun revolutionary line is the highest level of patriotism and loyalty, the servicepersons and people of Korea will more vigorously wage the struggle for defending socialism and the efforts for building a great, prosperous and powerful nation with inexhaustible mental power under the banner of Songun.

The Islamic Revolution in Iran, not to be outdone, is "out to save Humanity":

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Sunday that the Islamic Revolution is the clearest religious and divine movement after the advent of Islam which seeks to save all humanity.

Every victory has to involve a loser, of course. As the Supreme Leader (of Iran) observes, the "Bullying powers feel humiliated." He observes further:

Comparing the current status of Zionist regime and the US government with the situation that existed 20 years ago, Ayatollah Khamenei said they are now experiencing weakness and gradual annihilation worldwide.

Victory in Gaza was, of course, inevitable, since "an honest, faithful resistance is so powerful that no military strength in the world could face it." Indeed, "The victory of Gaza is a turning point in the Arab-Zionist conflict." What's the next stage?:

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated Saturday that the victory of the Gaza Strip is a turning point in the history of the Arab-Zionist conflict, adding that the next stage is the stage of the victory of the resistance project and the failure of the settlement project.

Khalid Meshaal visited Iran, and that was also the occasion for some victory-talk:

The Leader again congratulated the resistance movement on its victory and said, "The people of Gaza and the Islamic resistance made us all proud, and through their patience and resistance they successfully passed this great and extremely difficult test."

Samir Kuntar was also on hand for all this triumph. He observed:

"we must destroy the Zionist regime" . . .

Referring to sufferings of Iranians during the Islamic Revolution in 1970s and Lebanese in war with Israel which both led to their nations’ victory he added Gaza and Palestine will have the same destiny and will see the victory after hardships.

And the victories go on and on. According to SANA, the official Syrian news agency:

Observers described the popular reception given to Erdogan in Istanbul airport as it is the reception of the victorious conquerors . . .

What a scene!

The crowded people raised the Turkish and Palestinian flags chanting " Death to Israel, and we are proud of you, Erdogan."

Just to end on sensible note, Michael Totten asks "Who Really Won the Second Lebanon War." Totten observes:

Nasrallah, though, was all but forced to apologize to Lebanese for the death and destruction he brought down on their heads. "We did not believe," he said on Lebanon’s New TV station, "even by one percent, that the captive operation would result in such a wide-scale war, as such a war did not take place in the history of wars. Had we known that the captive operation would result in such a war we would not have carried it out at all."

These are not the words of a man who thinks of himself as a victor. Nor are these the words of a man speaking to those who think they have won. He did not issue his apology because he hoped to appease his Christian, Sunni, and Druze opponents in Lebanon. He routinely, and absurdly, dismisses their March 14 coalition as the "Zionist hand." No. Nasrallah apologized because his Israeli adventure devastated his own Shia community.

Nobody ever said victory was easy.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

"Holocaust, US and Britain's excuse for domination of the world: Ahmadinejad"

Catchy headline. According to this ISNA article, Iran is having a new Holocaust conference and its name is "Holocaust, the West's Sacred Lie."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said a cursory glance at the following events of the Second World War suggests the issue of holocaust is an excuse by the war winners particularly the US and Britain for domination over the world.

In his message to the conference on Holocaust, the West's Sacred Lie, held in Tehran, Tuesday, Ahmadinejad said a large number of media, wealth and power centers are under Zionists' control and they are plundering wealth of different nations.

The creation of illegitimate Zionist regime is among Holocaust aftermaths, after the war a political and power-seeking system which claimed to be defendants of some war victims said the survivors of these victims need to receive a blood-money and added that establishment of Zionist regime in Palestine is a part of the compensation.

Through the excuse, they attacked Palestine, killed and displaced a large number of people and commissioned the Zionist regime not to allow foundation of any regional power in Islamic countries, Ahmadinejad said.

Those now residing in the occupied lands of Palestine are some native Palestinians, migrants from the US, Asia and Europe and most of them are not war survivors, he said in his message.

Holocaust is intertwined with Liberal Democracy which backs the logic of holocaust and has made it so sacred that no one is permitted to enter into its domain, he continued.

If the reality of holocaust issue becomes clear, the Zionist regime will be fully collapsed, Ahmadinejad added.

Elsewhere, Iran's Government Spokesman, Gholam Hossein Elham taking part in the conference said as Zionist regime's lack of identity and the philosophy of its existence was unveiled, countdown has been started to put an end to the life of this center of corruption.

The world now suffers from the Zionist regime's presence, he said adding even if a real holocaust has occurred its origin is no where but in the West, so why Palestinians should be displaced to compensate for it, he added.

The real holocaust is arising in Palestine, just few weeks ago civilians and defenseless Gazans were slaughtered shamelessly by Israel, why these people are being killed, these crimes cannot be interpreted as anything but genocide, Elham noted.

Zionist regime and its sponsors need to account for their crimes, they should account for their measures to the history, he added.

Zionist regime's cruel measures must be ended, the right of Palestinians should be recognized and the displaced Palestinians need to return home. They can also determine their government through a referendum.

Zionists have gone too far in committing offensives against that even Jews and rabies in Iran, the US and Europe have denounced the measures, Government Spokesman noted.

Elsewhere regarding the US envoy to the UN who has said his country seeks direct talks with Iran, Elham said Iran is waiting for practical changes by the US officials.

As Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled Iran's views and the necessity of a change in the US policies, Iran pursues a clear stance on the matter, he added.

The US needs to accept that it is only a government not an emperor and Iran is waiting whether the previously discussed changes come true by the US President Barack Obama.

Also concerning delisting Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) from the EU terrorist black list, Elham said the move shows they are making a political game with terrorism and similar concepts; they divide the issue of terrorism into two good and bad sections which puts their political and legal values into question.

They name Hamas, a group defending Palestinians' right, as a terrorist one while they remain silent and support Zionist regime's crimes, he said.

Meanwhile, some evidence has surfaced that Ahmadinejad has "Jewish roots" although it may not be true and it might not mean he is Jewish even if it is true.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

"Israel throwing commanders under bus"--See if you can follow this reasoning

How is Israel "throwing commanders under the bus"? By protecting them from lawsuits! From PressTV:

Israel is pinning the blame of war crimes on its Gaza operation commanders by concealing their identities, a top Iranian general says.

Amid calls for taking legal action against Israeli individuals involved in carrying out and ordering the war on Gaza, Brigadier General Mir-Faisal Baqerzadeh, Iran's Head of the Foundation for the Remembrance of the Holy Defense, exposed the Israeli motive for protecting the identity of its top commanders.

"High-ranking Israeli government officials are seeking to portray their military commanders as the sole guilty party in its crimes," Brig. Gen. Baqerzadeh said Tuesday.

Israeli authorities have issued an order banning the publication of the full name and photographs of the field commanders of the Gaza operation, the Haaretz reported Saturday.

The decision was made following the publication of reports that a lawsuit had been filed with a Dutch court against one of the Israeli brigade commanders after his identity was revealed by the media.

The ban applies to the full name and photographs of officers from the rank of battalion commander down. The order also prohibits tying particular battlefield commanders to the destruction of particular areas in the coastal sliver.

The Iranian commander warned about the futility of such policies, adding that under international law those who commit war crimes and those who issue the order for such crimes would be prosecuted with respect to the extent of their involvement.

Brig. Gen. Baqerzadeh went on to describe Israeli President Shimon Perez, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi as the main culprits of the recent war crimes in the Palestinian territory. [...]

The International Criminal Court, a treaty-based court located in The Hague, has come into being in 2002 to take legal action against war crimes committed on or after that date.

However, countries like the United States and Israel have so far refused to sign the treaty which created the court and therefore do not permit The Hague to have jurisdiction over their citizens.

While Israel cannot be tried in the International Court of Justice, any country that is a signatory to the Geneva Convention can try to prosecute individuals who took part in the Gaza operation as culpable of war crimes.

Is Iran planning a kidnapping operation?

On Sunday, the cabinet of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad introduced a bill, comprising of methods to track down and prosecute individuals accused of committing or issuing the order for war crimes.

Under the newly-introduced bill individuals charged with committing or ordering such crimes would be sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison by an Iranian court or would face execution.

Meanwhile, critics remain skeptical as to whether any official inquiry into Israeli crimes will take place, as Tel Aviv has previously blocked similar attempts with Washington's support.

That's an interesting admission for the Iranian press.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

PressTV (Iran): "Carter: No peace in ME without Hamas"

This account of what Carter said doesn't appear to differ from that of more trustworthy sources. You can even watch the video if you have the stomach for it. This version, however, reminds us who stands behind Hamas and the favors our friend Jimmy likes to perform for them. (Click to enlarge the image.)

Former US President Jimmy Carter says that the Hamas movement can be trusted and Mideast peace would be impossible without its involvement.

In an interview on NBC's Today show on Monday, former US President Jimmy Carter said that 'Hamas can be trusted' adding that the movement never deviated from its commitments as per the recent ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The former US President said that he has been promised by the organization's leaders in Damascus and Gaza that Hamas would honor agreements between Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas and Israel, as long as they were supported by public referendum.

Carter maintained that Israel has a choice between a one-state solution - which is a catastrophe for Israel - and a two-state solution which everyone would support.

"Despite the recent lack of progress, I see this as a unique time for hope, not despair. The outlines of a peace agreement are clear and have broad international support," he claimed.

Carter noted, "There is a remarkable compatibility among pertinent United Nations resolutions, previous peace agreements reached at Camp David and in Oslo, the publicly declared policy of the United States, the Geneva Accord, key goals of the International Quartet's Roadmap for Peace, and tentative proposals made by all Arab nations for reconciliation with Israel."

Carter on Sunday met with President Barack Obama's new US envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell. While Carter is not certain that Obama should speak directly with Hamas, he believes that Mitchell should.

"There won't be peace in the Middle East without Hamas involvement," the former US President emphasized.

Al-Ahram: "Whose resistance?"

Al-Ahram has certainly produced its share of overblown hysteria about the Gaza operation. One recent article quotes "ex-judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Fouad Riad" that Israel "'deliberately killed Palestinian children' with the aim of exterminating the population." "Exterminating the population"? The present article, "Whose resistance?" while offering the obligatory references to Israel's "customary violence and the brutality of its military machine," also observes, "Democratically elected or not, no one asked the Palestinian people if they wanted to confront Israel in the name of resistance." The author, Amr Hamzawy, offers some remarkable paragraphs denouncing Hamas:

From day one of the Israeli invasion, Hamas leaders excluded civilians from their calculations with their frequent cries of resistance to the bitter end, even if it means the annihilation of all the people in Gaza (according to Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas government), their boasts of the legendary steadfastness of Gaza (Taher Al-Nunu, spokesman for the Hamas government), and their predictions of ultimate victory in spite of the death and bloodshed (Haniyeh and Khaled Mashaal, head of Hamas's political bureau). The same essential arrogant indifference to the sanctity of civilian lives is also evidenced in commentaries on the part of many Arab intellectuals sympathetic with Hamas who portray the Hamas electoral victory in 2006 as a democratically-sanctioned mandate to wage resistance and a popular agreement in advance to accept the consequences of Hamas's subsequent decisions regardless of how calamitous the consequences.

What makes this even more regrettable is that these commentators have taken a very specific electoral moment, randomly lifted it from its social and political contexts, and implicitly elevated its results to the level of a carte blanche to make even the most fateful decisions which, in the true sense of democracy, would demand a renewed appeal to the public instead of the mere presumption of public approval. Since it took over power independently in Gaza in the summer of 2007, Hamas and the factions allied with it never held a general referendum or a truly public dialogue in the interest of determining popular preferences with regard to whether or not to continue with the relative calm with Israel regardless of the ongoing blockade or to escalate the confrontation with the occupation beneath the banner of resistance. No one asked the Palestinian people themselves. Rather Hamas, in an authoritarian manner, decided to end the truce and to visit the exorbitant costs of this decision upon the presumed supporters of its decision and upon objectors alike, without either of these bodies of opinion having a say in the matter. What kind of popular mandate are the Arab intellectuals who are supporting Hamas talking about? What kind of democracy do they have in mind? Democracy is not a once-and-for-all vote. Rather its strength resides in the principle of ongoing popular participation, which entails the periodic soliciting of public opinion and abiding by the consensus of the majority.

In conjunction with their haughty disregard for the lives and welfare of civilians, the producers of resistance narratives have totally suspended the requirements for a rational and objective assessment of the current political situation surrounding the Palestinian cause. [...]

You won't like the whole article, but that was a reasonably sustained display of good sense.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

PressTV: "Iran starts legal action against Israel"

More of Iran's current enthusiasm for litigation. Now that its proxy-army's military preparation has been proven to be worthless, Iran takes to the courts. If a great deal of international war-crimes litigation actually comes about at Iran's instigation it would be nice to say that it will be automatically self-discrediting. We'll have to see, though.

Iran will host an international meeting to review the legal aspects of the Gaza war in preparation for the prosecution of war criminals.

Iran's Attorney General Ghorbanali Dorri Najaf Abadi told Press TV on Sunday that the meeting would be held in March.

According to the Iranian official the international event will study ways for brining those who committed war crimes during the 23-day war in Gaza to justice.

Israel launched its massive offensive against the Gaza Strip on December 27. Human rights groups, witnesses and reporters say Israel used controversial weapons including white phosphorus ammunitions against the civilian population of Gaza during the military operation.

Indiscriminate killing of civilians were another controversy arose in the course of war. Israel targeted UN buildings including a school in which civilians took refuge on several occasions.

Iran's Judiciary has set up a special team to file lawsuits against Israel with international courts over its war crimes in Gaza.

Zionist Death-Matriarchs and Death-Antelopes

As reported by the ever-watchful EOZ, the Zionist regime has now added Matriarchs to its arsenal, causing great concern to Muslims. Adding further to its use of controversial weapons, the Zionist entity has also begun to use Antelopes:

Fears over Hezbollah's moves against Israel have prompted the regime's military to resort to using antelopes to fight the Lebanese movement.

The animals have been deployed to the northern borders of Israel to clear the foliage which the military fears could function as cover Hezbollah fighters, the daily Ha'aretz reported.

Antelopes are known for their ability to eat large quantities of vegetations.

And considering the vegetative mental state of the typical Nasrallah follower, that makes these Zio-lopes quite threatening!

"The animals were first brought to Israel more than 30 years ago as part of a project to raise them at local zoos before sending them to Europe," the daily added.

Israel waged a war against Lebanon in summer 2006 but soon afterwards found itself unable to confront Hezbollah fighters who used guerilla tactics the Israelis were not familiar with.

The 33-day war resulted in a heavy defeat for the Israeli Army, after the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 called on Israel to withdraw all of its forces from Lebanon.

But, of course, Anteloples don't recognize UN resolutions. They're right, by the way, this was reported in Ha'aretz. (Hat tip to Aussie Dave for the phrase "Zionist death blah blah.")

By the way: In case you are wondering about whether this blog thinks it is possible for Rachel Immeinu to appear to Israeli soldiers, the answer is yes.

Iranian audience primed for war-crimes trials

The loyal readers of Iranian press agencies, including a large English-speaking audience, are being fed endless articles that make it sound as if any day now Olmert and Livini will be arrested and tried for war crimes. A current Mehr News headline reads "Iran calls for prosecution of Israeli leaders for war crimes." An older IRNA headline announced "Iran making preparations for trial of Israeli leaders for war crimes." An IRIB headline reads "List of Israeli leaders under prosecution," and there's a graphic to go with it:



IRIB explains:

Media carry these days a 15-strong list of military commanders and senior Israeli authorities who are under prosecution by international war crimes courts on charges of war crimes in Gaza during the Zionist regime's 22-invasion of the besieged territory started on December 27, 2008.

The list which follows however may not be exhaustive as any prospective judicial proceedings may dock additional perpetrators.

1- Ehud Olmert, prime minister
2- Ehud Barak, 'defense' minister
3- Tzipi Livni, foreign minister
4- Gabi Ashkenazi, chief of staff
5- Yoav Galant, southern command chief
6- Avi Benayahu, army spokesman
7- Avi Peled, commander of golani brigade
8- Amos Gilad, commander of security-diplomatic board
9- Dan Halutz, former army chief of staff
10- Aluf Eliezer Shkedi, former commander of air force
11- Ido Nehushtan, commander of air force
12- Natan Valnaie, deputy 'defense' minister
13- Yuval Diskin, Shabak chief
14- Meir Dagan, director of Mossad
15- Shimon Peres, president

Meanwhile, an IRNA headline announces: "Reports of mass arrests for Israeli war criminals":

Dozens of arrests warrants have already been issued for Israeli war criminals, said the head of the Gaza Human Rights Center Raji Sourani in an exclusive interview with IRNA in Berlin on Saturday.

"We have been targeting 87 people in six countries for whom arrest warrants have already been sent out," the Palestinian lawyer added.

Wouldn't you like to know what those six countries are? Do they include Sudan?

"One of the strategic issues at the Center of Human Rights (in Gaza) is to hold Israeli war criminals and military leaders accountable," Sourani stressed.

The Palestinian human rights activist said his organization was collecting evidence, documenting Israeli war crimes. "We are now working day and night to document these war crimes and hopefully we will hold them accountable. We hope they (Israelis) cannot get away with crimes like these," Sourani said.

"We will use universal jurisdiction to deal with these war criminals," the attorney added.

He urged more international attention to the issue of Israeli atrocities in the Palestinian territories.

Sourani hailed the recent worldwide mass demonstrations against the Jewish state as an effective way to address Israeli war crimes. [...]

Justice through protest! An IRNA opinion piece proclaims "World waiting for trial of Zionists":

Israeli Supreme Court issued a verdict against Karl Adolf Eichmann (1906– 1962), often known as "the architect of the Holocaust" in 1962.

It argued that since his crimes inflicted a huge damage on the international community’s interests, it is to the benefit of all nations to take practical steps to prevent them.

I suppose it is quite possible we will see something reminiscent of the arrest warrant issued in England for Doron Almog. Perhaps something will happen in the Hague. We'll probably also see some show trials in Muslim countries. It probably won't add up to much despite current reports that Olmert has formed "a special legal team to defend Israeli soldiers against potential war crimes charges." I don't think Israeli leaders are now going to have to live as fugitives from justice, and I doubt any Israeli leaders were planning any state visits to Iran any time soon. They'll just have to try them in absentia.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad