What's going on in the World Today 100706

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EUROPE

Germany, Syria: Suspected Al Qaeda Recruiter Arrested

July 7, 2010

German police arrested a 24-year-old Syrian man suspected of recruiting for the militant Islamist network al Qaeda on the Internet, according to federal prosecutors, Reuters reported July 7. The man, named only as Hussam S., is believed to have posted around 100 pieces of propaganda on websites since September 2007 to attract new members for al Qaeda and other Islamist groups, the federal prosecutors’ office in Karlsruhe said in a statement.

EU: Iran Air Aircraft Banned From Europe July 6, 2010
The European Union has banned Iran Air’s Boeing 727s and 747s, as well as the airline’s Airbus 320s, from flying to Europe following a safety audit, UK Press Association reported July 6. An EU spokeswoman said the decision was not tied to current international sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

RUSSIA
Russia, Iran: Naval Maneuvers Begin July 7, 2010
Iran claimed that Russia was participating this week in the first-ever joint naval exercises in the Caspian Sea, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency, Israel National News reported July 7. A senior Iranian ports authority official was quoted as stating that the drill was aimed at preventing pollution and improving search and rescue operations coordination between the two nations. Called the “Regional Collaboration for a Secure and Clean Caspian,” the two-day drill reportedly combines military objectives with environmental goals and involves an estimated 30 vessels.

Russia, U.S.: Spy Swap Requested July 7, 2010
Russia wants to swap a scientist jailed on charges of spying for Britain for one of the suspected Russian agents detained in the United States last month, according to a lawyer for the scientist, Reuters reported July 7. Russia wants to exchange Igor Sutyagin for those accused of spying in the United States, Anna Stavitskaya, a lawyer acting for Sutyagin, said by telephone. She added that Russia wants the swap to take place July 8. She said she did not know for whom he would be exchanged. Stavitskaya said Sutyagin would be sent initially to Britain.

Russia: New North Caucasus Strategy Announced July 6, 2010
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced a new strategy July 6 to counter Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus, Reuters reported. The strategy, in contrast to past positions, focuses on social and economic policies aimed at reducing poverty, ending corruption and developing a productive dialogue with human rights organizations. Putin told members of his ruling party in Kislovodsk, a city just east of the mainly Muslim regions of the North Caucasus, that the government needs to show it can guarantee the safety of its investments from criminals, corrupt officials and protection rackets in the region.

Russia: START Not Intended To Limit U.S. BMD Plans July 6, 2010
Russia did not attempt to limit the development of U.S. ballistic missile defense (BMD) systems when writing the new START treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said July 6 at parliamentary hearings on the treaty, Interfax news agency reported.

Russia, U.S.: Arms Treaty Ratification Planned July 6, 2010
The Russian and U.S. parliaments are planning to prepare a new strategic arms cuts treaty for ratification by late July, RIA Novosti reported July 6. Konstantin Kosachyov, who heads the international affairs committee in the lower house of the Russian parliament, said Russian and U.S. lawmakers were continuing consultations on the issue. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed that the ratification processes should be simultaneous.

France: Russia To Buy Mistrals July 5, 2010
Russia will buy French Mistral class helicopter carriers with navigational equipment and technical documentation, but equip the ships with its own weaponry and helicopters, according to a defense industry source, RIA Novosti reported July 5. Fire control systems will be included, the source said. Russia plans to use the helicopter carrier in northern latitudes, in ice floe, the source stated, adding that the hull of the ship will need to be reinforced, but it will not seriously change its structure or technical equipment. The Russian military said it plans to use Mistral ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets.

IRAN
Iran: Bushehr Launching By Late September July 7, 2010
Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant is due to be launched by late September now that a critical final test has been completed, Reuters reported July 7, citing Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization. Salehi said the project has reached “the point of no return” and start-up will take place during the Iranian month that begins on Aug. 23.

Iran: Nuclear Work Will Not Stop - Atomic Chief July 7, 2010
The new sanctions Iran faces may slow down work on its nuclear program, but they will not halt efforts, including work on uranium enrichment, AFP reported July 7, citing Tehran’s atomic energy chief, Ali Akbar Salehi.

Iran: Tehran Reactor Continues Operations July 6, 2010
Iran will do its best to continue operation of the Tehran research reactor to produce medical radioisotopes, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, IRNA reported July 6. He said since the fuel for the research reactor is currently limited, the site is not fully operational. He expressed hope that the fuel for the reactor would be provided soon. According to rules and regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), all member states should be provided with fuel for their peaceful nuclear activities, he stated.

Iran: Sanctions Will Not Hurt July 5, 2010
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said U.N. Security Council sanctions will not hurt Iran and only serve to safeguard Western powers, Press TV reported July 5. Speaking in the city of Bonab in the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan, Ahmadinejad said there is no need for Iran to mobilize the nation to counter sanctions, adding that the country is vigilant and the awareness prompted a movement across Iran. Ahmadinejad stated that Iran is resolute to conquer the highest peaks of progress around the globe, and called on the Iranian nation to strengthen its unity to achieve this goal.

Iran: Gas Subsidies To End July 5, 2010
Iran will halt the sale of subsidized petrol beginning in late September as part of plans to phase out subsidies on energy products, according to Mohammad Royanian, head of Iran’s fuel transportation organization, ISNA reported July 5. He did not say what the new, unsubsidized price of petrol would be.

Iran: Passenger Jets Refused Fuel July 5, 2010
Iran said Britain, Germany and the United Arab Emirates are refusing to provide fuel to Iranian passenger planes, ISNA reported July 5. The move, which has not been confirmed, follows unilateral sanctions “imposed by the United States,” the news agency reported. The secretary of the Iranian Airlines Union said Iran Air and Mahan Airlines had refueling problems, adding that refusing to provide fuel to Iranian passenger planes by these countries is violation of international conventions. A lawmaker said Iran would retaliate. Germany’s Transport Ministry would not comment but said refueling Iranian planes was not banned under EU or U.N. sanctions.

Iran: Refueling Denials Denied July 6, 2010
Iran said claims made by some Iranian officials that its passenger planes were being denied refueling by airports in Britain, Germany and the United Arab Emirates were “false,” The News International reported July 6. The refueling of Iran’s planes is continuing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters, adding that previous reports were false.

IRAQ
Iraq: Army Pulls Out Of Qaratapa July 6, 2010
The Iraqi army, U.S. forces and the Kurdish Security Forces’ tripartite committee agreed on July 5 that the army’s Fourth Brigade should pull out from Qaratapa and security should be handed to the police, AKnews reported July 6, citing Sirwan Shukur, Qaratapa administrator. Shukur said there are peshmergas in the area; the move follows a July 5 confrontation between the army and the peshmergas.

ISRAEL

Turkey: Israel Sends UAV Trainers July 6, 2010
Israel allowed its team that was training Turkish military officers on Predator unmanned aircraft to return to Turkey to continue the training program, but Israeli officials are still in discussions with Turkey as to whether another team can come back to train Turkish officers on the Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Today’s Zaman reported July 6. Although military sources said the Israeli Predator training team returned to Turkey, the same sources noted that Israel declined to send the Heron training officers back because of security concerns. Israel requested special security for its officers but Turkey turned down the request.

Turkey, Israel: Drill Withdrawal Announced July 6, 2010
Following the Israeli government’s refusal to officially apologize to Turkey for its aid flotilla raid, Turkey officially announced its withdrawal from a joint military drill set to be conducted with U.S. and Israeli navies in the Mediterranean next month, Anatolia news agency reported July 6. An official Turkish Defense Ministry letter to the Israeli side conveyed Turkey’s withdrawal decision.`

Turkey: Israeli Officials Dismiss Apology July 5, 2010
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said his country has no intention to apologize to Turkey over the Gaza flotilla incident, Xinhua reported July 5. Turkish policy has seen dramatic domestic changes, Lieberman said during a meeting with visiting Latvian officials. He said Israel believes this position is “mistaken.” Ehud Barak, Israel’s Defense Minister, described last week’s meeting between Israeli and Turkish officials as a “mistake.” The meeting was aimed at clarifying Turkey’s stand and presenting claims against Israel, like an international inquiry and compensation, Barak said, adding that he thought it would be wrong to hold such a meeting.

Turkey: Military Ties To Continue - Israeli Commander July 6, 2010
Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, said on July 6 that he was in contact with his Turkish counterpart in order to maintain relations, Reuters reported. Speaking to Israeli lawmakers privately, Ashkenazi said he thought Turkey was constrained in its political direction because it is a NATO member and it is dependent on Western military hardware. He said military ties will continue, although some exercises have been canceled. He said he expects military cooperation to continue, something that is needed in “turbulent times.”

AFGHANISTAN
U.K.: Troops In Afghanistan To Leave Sangin - BBC July 6, 2010
British Defense Secretary Liam Fox is expected to announce that British troops in Afghanistan will transfer responsibility for the Sangin area of Helmand province to U.S. forces, BBC reported July 6. The transfer could happen by the end of 2010.

Afghanistan: $4.2 Billion Transferred Through Airport July 6, 2010
At least $4.2 billion in cash was flown out of the Kabul airport in the past three and a half years, a higher amount than previously reported on June 28, AFP reported July 6. British daily The Times reported the higher figure, citing a letter from Afghan Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal to U.S. lawmaker Nita Lowey, who blocked additional aid to Afghanistan following allegations that suitcases of cash from U.S. aid were transferred out of the country. Zakhilwal stated that records show $4.2 billion was transferred in cash through Kabul International Airport alone. He said the amount could be higher.

Afghanistan: Mobile Telephone Towers Targeted July 6, 2010
Taliban motorcyclists fired rockets at Roshan and Etisalat mobile telephone towers at midnight on July 6, local time, in Afghanistan’s Kokal Dash village, Jowzjan province, setting them on fire, Pajhwok reported, citing the head of Faizabad district. The Taliban had warned Roshan employees to cease operations from 10 p.m. until the morning in Jowzjan, Sar-i-Pul and Balkh provinces, an unnamed worker said, but the employees refused. A Taliban commander had no information on the incidents.

Afghanistan: Rules Of Engagement May Change July 5, 2010
U.S. Senator John McCain said incoming commander Gen. David Petraeus could tweak the way the war is fought on the ground in Afghanistan, following two days of talks and battlefield tours, AFP reported July 5. Petraeus indicated there could be adjustments to the rules of engagement with the war bogged down after nine years, McCain told reporters in a press conference at a Kabul airport. McCain said he believed the counter-insurgency would succeed following the deployment of thousands more troops to the Taliban heartland of Kandahar. McCain said Kandahar is key to a successful strategy, but it is just beginning.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

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MISC

South Korea, U.S.: Navy Drill Postponed July 6, 2010
South Korea and the United States will hold joint naval drills in the Yellow Sea after the United Nations takes action against North Korea for its sinking of the South Korean warship ChonAn, according to Col. Lee Bung Woo, spokesman for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, AP reported July 6.