Tag Archives: europe

International, U.S.

World War 3: Karzai demands U.S. troops pull back, U.S. officials blow him off, Taliban end talks with U.S. officials, Afghans want the U.S. out now!

The Taliban have called off all negotiations with the United States, saying the Americans are nothing but back stabbers: “The Americans initially agreed to take practical steps regarding the exchange of prisoners and to not oppose our political office but with the passage of time, they turned their backs on their promises and started initiating baseless propaganda portraying the envoys of the Islamic Emirate as having commenced multilateral negotiations for solving the Afghan dilemma…” 

The Taliban say they will not resume negotiations “…until the Americans clarify their stance on the issues concerned and until they show willingness in carrying out their promises instead of wasting time.”

Afghan President Hamid Karzai told off U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panette, telling him all “international security forces have to be taken out of Afghan village outposts and return to (larger) bases.” as well as insisting that Afghanistan can handle its own security: “We’re ready to take over all security responsibilities now……Afghan security forces have the ability to keep the security in rural areas and in villages on their own!”

Basically Karzai wants the United States out by next year!

Afghans are in the streets demanding the U.S. get out now!

The Associated Press reported that Pentagon officials didn’t think Karzai meant what he said.  Statements from U.S. President Barack Obama support that: “I don’t anticipate, at this stage, that we’re going to be making any sudden, additional changes to the plan that we currently have.”

Thousands of Afghans are protesting what they see as dirty tricks regarding the handling of the “lone” shooter, in the Panjwaii massacre.

The Times revealed that in his meeting with Karzai, Leon Panette simply said the shooter would be brought to justice.  Under Islamic law it is the right of the victims to demand how that justice is carried out: “It was the demand of the families of the martyrs of this incident, the people of Kandahar and the people of Afghanistan to try him publicly in Afghanistan!”-Mohammad Naeem Lalai Hamidzai, Afghan politician

Hamidzai was part of the parliament appointed investigation that concluded there was at least 20 U.S. personnel involved in the Panjwaii shooting.

While Panette was telling Karzai that justice would be done, the U.S. military quietly flew the “lone” shooter to Kuwait.  Afghans see this as more insult to injury at the hands of the United States, because it proves the United States is not there to help them rebuild their country, because the U.S. totally disses on them (disrespects & oppresses) all the time!

 

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

Oil & Gas Prices: Despite glut of oil, U.S. demands Saudi Arabia increase oil output, sign of coming World War 3 in July? Iran says U.S. government has no concern for average consumer

“There were talks held between Saudi and the U.S., and the U.S. asked if Saudi could be accommodating once the sanctions take effect in July. And the Saudi response was that it was ready to meet demand in the market if required, but would not like to take part in the politics.”-unnamed Saudi Arabian official

The U.S. demand came at the current IEF meeting in Kuwait. It was at the beginning of that meeting that IEF officials confirmed there was a glut of oil on the markets.  So why would the U.S. demand Saudi Arabia increase oil production?

One clue comes from Edward Markey, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee: “If Iran won’t stop saber rattling, and the Saudis won’t eliminate Iran’s leverage by producing more oil, then it’s time to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to send these countries a message that the U.S. economy won’t be held hostage for months.”

But wait, I though the U.S. oil industry is being flooded with oil from Canada and the U.S. state of North Dakota? And why is there this talk of “months”, and “July”?

The European Union’s oil sanctions go into effect in July.  But that shouldn’t be too big of a deal, considering Iran has already stopped oil shipments to at least two European countries, and threatens to cut off more oil shipments.

Now, just one day after the U.S. made its demands on Saudi Arabia, the Saudis say they will comply: “…Saudi Arabia and others remain poised to make good any shortfalls, perceived or real, in crude oil supply.”-Ali al-Naimi, Oil Minister of Saudi Arabia

Notice he added “perceived or real”.  This means if the U.S. tells them there’s a shortage, even if there isn’t they’ll increase production. This is significant because just days before Saudi officials told Reuters’ reporters that they would increase oil production only if there was an true oil shortage!

Reuters reported that the West vs Iran tensions are getting little attention at the IEF meeting.  However, the Iranian representative indicated that the U.S. was using oil simply as a weapon, with no concern about how it affects the average person: “Unfortunately some big countries who are among the major energy consumers, view oil as one of the basic constituents in their military, security and political strategies and use it as a political tool against oil producing countries. Exerting unilateral economic constraints of political instigations is a threat, which jeopardizes free trade and continuity of oil supply in the world.”-Rostam Ghasemi, Oil Minister of Iran

International, U.S.

World War 3: Afghan riots continue, Afghan soldier killed, Afghan Senators united against U.S., Afghan police kill Afghans

“With the help of Allah will kill and behead your sadistic murderous soldiers.”-Zabihullah Mujahid

Afghan college students began protesting in Nangarhar Province. Hundreds of protesters hit the streets of Jalalabad.

Senior Afghan officials visited villages to try and calm things down, instead they were attacked. One Afghan soldier was killed, and one soldier was wounded along with a military attorney.

“Today, the Kandahar governor was trying to explain to the villagers that he was only one soldier [referring to U.S. soldier], that he was not a sane person and that he was sick.  But the people were just shouting and they were very angry. They didn’t listen to the governor. They accused him of defending the Americans instead of defending the Kandahari people.”-Abdul Rahim Ayubi, a Kandahar politician

Two of the officials that were attacked are brothers of President Hamid Karzai.

In the Afghan senate unanimous  calls for action against the United States, and accusations against Human Rights organizations.  Senators pointed out that little is being said by human rights organizations, including the UN’s Human Rights Commission.  Human rights organizations are quick to condemn Syria, but where are they regarding the genocide being committed by the U.S. in Afghanistan?

Other Afghan senators said the U.S. will face the same fate as the former Soviet Union.

As this is going on, Afghan police, led by U.S./NATO/ISAF forces, have killed two Afghans and detained seven.  The Afghan Interior Ministry says it was the result of five separate operations in the past 24 hours.  They took place in Kabul, Helmand, Uruzgan, Logar and Khost provinces.

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Moody’s declares Greece in full default

Earlier in the day the main stream media was reporting “good” news on the latest agreement between creditors and Greece, but that’s not how Moody’s sees it.

Moody’s says the latest deal actually pushed Greece into automatic default: “According to Moody’s definitions, this exchange represents a ‘distressed exchange’ and therefore a debt default.”

On March 9, 2012, a deal was made that allowed a debt exchange plan hoping to cancel about U.S. $143 billion dollars in Greek government bonds.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: French Ambassador sneaks out of Syria, Syrian Ambassador tells U.K. bye bye, Canada closes Embassy

Lebanese media reporting that the French Ambassador to Syria has quietly driven into Lebanon. The ambassador and his diplomatic staff are in a convoy heading back to Pairs.

In the United Kingdom, the Syrian Ambassador made it clear to the British government that he will be leaving, after being called back by the Syrian government.

Canada has closed down their embassy in Syria: “All of our Canadian diplomats have left Damascus. The safety and security of Canadian personnel is our top priority and that is not a decision we took lightly.”-John Baird, Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada

After a meeting with officials from the United Arab Emirates, Canadian officials also imposed new sanctions. The new sanctions include a complete ban on financial services, as well as sanctions on the Syrian central bank.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Japan reveals plans to airlift their citizens out of Iran!

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have just revealed plans to evacuate Japanese citizens living in Iran!

On March 5, 2012, Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka made the statement in a Diet (parliament) session.

He said they are prepared to use C-130 transports, along with aerial refueling tankers, to “rescue” Japanese stuck in Iran, in case of “emergency”!

According to official Japanese numbers, there are about 700 Japanese citizens living in Iran, many are married to Iranians.

International, U.S.

World War 3: More suicide bombing in Afghanistan. More attacks against NATO. Iran trying to assasinate Afghan leaders? U.S. cancels security meeting.

According to separate reports there were two suicide bombings, March 5, 2012.

One took place in eastern Nangarhar Province, in Jalalabad city.  Local officials say as many as 13 people were killed, including civilians and police.  No group has claimed responsibility.

Then in Parwan Province, a suicide bomber tried to attack the U.S./NATO/ISAF airbase at Bagram.  The bomber targeted a NATO vehicle.  Two civilians were killed. The reports claim the “Taliban” took responsibility, and said it was vengeance for the U.S. burnings of Qur’ans.

It’s been revealed, that last week several Afghans were arrested trying to assassinate several Afghan politicians.  Officials with the National Directorate for Security of Afghanistan, say those arrested are claiming they were hired by the Iranian Republican Guards Corps.

Some Iranian officials point out that the Afghan politicians making the claim are pro-U.S. and are trying to create justifications to keep U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

March 5, Afghan officials say the United States has canceled upcoming security talks. The cancellation comes after Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded the United States/NATO/ISAF stop night time home invasions, and turn over all U.S. controlled prisons to Afghanistan!

Some reports say U.S. officials told Karzai that it was “technically unfeasible” to meet his demands!  (just another way to say ‘beatings will continue until moral improves’)

Over the weekend:  The governor of Kunar Province was attacked. His motorcade was shot at, but no one was hurt. No group is claiming responsibility.

About 30 tons of opium and alcohol were burned by the Afghan Interior Ministry officials in southern Kandahar Province.  200 people were arrested!  Despite claims pushed by U.S. officials (that opium is used to pay for militant operations) tribal elders say poverty is the main motive behind the opium cultivation.

Also, Afghan government forces launched a major military operation that spanned several provenances.  The operations were conducted at Nangarhar, Kandahar, Baghlan and Helmand provinces.  They say dozens of militants were killed, wounded and/or arrested.  At lest five Afghan soldiers were killed.

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government Incompetence: Despite U.S. oil sancitons on Iran, Royal Dutch Shell just bought 1.5 million barrels of Iranian oil

“We do not comment on our trading activities. Shell complies with all applicable sanctions.”-Royal Dutch Shell statement

An Iranian 270,000 ton supertanker, called Delvar, just docked in Singapore.  It’s delivering a huge load of oil for a major European/U.S. oil company: Royal Dutch Shell.

Before docking in Singapore, the Delvar transferred 60,000 tons of oil/condensate to a Chinese ship.

Despite the above recent quote from Royal Dutch Shell, on February 2, 2012, the CEO of the company said: “We will comply with the sanctions and we will therefore get our oil from somewhere else.”-Peter Voser, Chief Executive Royal Dutch Shell

Yet, a Singapore official confirmed that Royal Dutch Shell just bought 1.5 million barrels of Iranian oil: “Yes, Shell bought it. There is no other reason for the ship to be anchored at Bukom.”-unnamed ship broker

The U.S./European imposed sanctions against Iranian oil.  Also, on February 21, Iran banned oil sales to European Union countries, unless they signed new contracts under Iranian terms.  The Iranians have also stopped oil shipments to Britain and France. Royal Dutch Shell is partly owned by the British (about 40%).

Royal Dutch Shell gets about 100,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil, for Europe, and another 100,000 bpd for Japan.

The fact that Royal Dutch Shell (5th largest oil and gas company in the world) is still doing business with Iran indicates they’ve signed onto the new Iranian oil deal.  However, some oil traders do not think so: “I would not be surprised if they continued to ‘lift’ a little bit, until it becomes illegal to do so.”-unnamed oil trader

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Greece downgraded again, even with new bailout loan deals

Moody’s has joined Standard & Poor’s in downgrading Greece.

Last week S&P’s downgraded Greece to default status. Today Moody’s rated Greek bonds at C, saying risk of default is too high even with new bailout loans: “Moody’s believes that Greece will still face medium-term solvency challenges: its stock of debt will still be well in excess of 100 percent of gross domestic product for many years, the country is unlikely to be able to access the private market once the second assistance package runs out, and its planned fiscal and economic reforms will still face very significant implementation risks.”

 

 

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery: City desperate for cash approves Marijuana farming

A city, trying to deal with more than 20% unemployment, has turned to allowing  cannabis for cash!

So far there’s no comment from the federal government, that’s because in this country growing pot is legal (within limits).

The country is Spain!  Officials with the city of Rasquera, in Catalonia, have signed a deal that’s estimated to bring in U.S. $1.6 million to their local economy!

But it’s not just marijuana: ”The produce will only go to members of the association and it won’t all be cannabis. There will be crop rotation with cereal and sugar beet.”-Bernat Pellisa, Mayor of Rasquera

The deal will make Rasquera the largest legal pot growing area in all Europe!