Imam Luqmaan Abdullah Shooting by Dawud Walid - English
Short speech delivered by the Council on American Islamic Relations - Michigan Executive Director Dawud Walid regarding an update on the shooting of Imam Luqmaan Abdullah.
Short speech delivered by the Council on American Islamic Relations - Michigan Executive Director Dawud Walid regarding an update on the shooting of Imam Luqmaan Abdullah.
israel shooting at International and Palestinian Activists - 25 April 2010 - English
Palestinian medics treat Maltese peace activist Bianca Zimmit at al-Aqsa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on April 24, 2010.
After the Israeli forces shot and injured a Maltese national during a...
Palestinian medics treat Maltese peace activist Bianca Zimmit at al-Aqsa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on April 24, 2010.
After the Israeli forces shot and injured a Maltese national during a pro-Palestinian protest in Gaza, Malta's Foreign Ministry moves to condemn the attack.
Twenty-eight-year-old Maltese activist Bianca Zimmit was wounded by a live Israeli round on Saturday during a demonstration against Tel Aviv's decision to declare large parts of Gaza's arable land a "no-go" area, Ma'an news agency reported.
In a Sunday statement, the Maltese Foreign Ministry "deplored and condemned in the strongest possible terms" Zimmit's shooting, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported.
Local residents and international activists had gathered around the restricted zone in the central Gaza Strip to protest the ban that makes 20 percent of arable lands inaccessible to farmers.
The zone reportedly intrudes into the Strip beyond the areas from which Israel is supposed to have withdrawn in 2005.
The Sunday Times of Malta quoted Zammit as saying that "We were not doing anything illegal. I don't expect to be shot for holding a Palestinian flag or holding a camera, especially since we were chanting peaceful songs."
Israeli troops also injured five more protesters including a 22-year-old, who was shot in the stomach, Ma'an reported.
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Palestinian medics treat Maltese peace activist Bianca Zimmit at al-Aqsa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on April 24, 2010.
After the Israeli forces shot and injured a Maltese national during a pro-Palestinian protest in Gaza, Malta's Foreign Ministry moves to condemn the attack.
Twenty-eight-year-old Maltese activist Bianca Zimmit was wounded by a live Israeli round on Saturday during a demonstration against Tel Aviv's decision to declare large parts of Gaza's arable land a "no-go" area, Ma'an news agency reported.
In a Sunday statement, the Maltese Foreign Ministry "deplored and condemned in the strongest possible terms" Zimmit's shooting, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported.
Local residents and international activists had gathered around the restricted zone in the central Gaza Strip to protest the ban that makes 20 percent of arable lands inaccessible to farmers.
The zone reportedly intrudes into the Strip beyond the areas from which Israel is supposed to have withdrawn in 2005.
The Sunday Times of Malta quoted Zammit as saying that "We were not doing anything illegal. I don't expect to be shot for holding a Palestinian flag or holding a camera, especially since we were chanting peaceful songs."
Israeli troops also injured five more protesters including a 22-year-old, who was shot in the stomach, Ma'an reported.
Shia in deep crisis in Bahrain: Bahraini, Saudi police shooting at Peaceful Protesters - All Languages
Bahrain's riot police have killed one protester and injured twenty others during violent crackdown on the "Day of Rage" rallies in the capital Manama.
Eyewitnesses said a 22-year-old protester...
Bahrain's riot police have killed one protester and injured twenty others during violent crackdown on the "Day of Rage" rallies in the capital Manama.
Eyewitnesses said a 22-year-old protester died on Monday of bullet wounds in his back in the village of Daih, a suburb of Manama, dpa reported.
Two other protesters were said to be in critical condition after also sustaining gunshot injuries, the report added.
Police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of pro-democracy protesters in several villages of Shia Muslim majority on the same day, the interior ministry and witnesses said.
Women, elderly people and a paramedic were among those who had required hospitalization by early evening.
It was not immediately clear how many had gunshot injuries, but sources estimated it to be at least five. Others suffered broken bones and injuries related to rubber bullets and teargas inhalation.
Bahraini security forces were deployed in force along the main routes into Manama in an effort to prevent a gathering that had been arranged on the Internet in the wake of the rise of pro-democracy protests around the Arab world.
Activists, inspired by revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, dubbed Monday "the Day of Rage" to express disappointment at the political reforms of the past decade, which have failed to bring prosperity and real change.
The majority Shia population in Bahrain has been complaining about inequality and oppression. The government has been clamping down on the opposition since the country's controversial general elections in August last year.
الشرطة البحرينية تطلق النار على المتظاهرين
Since late Sunday, Bahrain's security forces have been patrolling shopping centers and other locations to monitor people's movements amid calls by opposition groups for pro-democracy protests.
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Bahrain's riot police have killed one protester and injured twenty others during violent crackdown on the "Day of Rage" rallies in the capital Manama.
Eyewitnesses said a 22-year-old protester died on Monday of bullet wounds in his back in the village of Daih, a suburb of Manama, dpa reported.
Two other protesters were said to be in critical condition after also sustaining gunshot injuries, the report added.
Police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of pro-democracy protesters in several villages of Shia Muslim majority on the same day, the interior ministry and witnesses said.
Women, elderly people and a paramedic were among those who had required hospitalization by early evening.
It was not immediately clear how many had gunshot injuries, but sources estimated it to be at least five. Others suffered broken bones and injuries related to rubber bullets and teargas inhalation.
Bahraini security forces were deployed in force along the main routes into Manama in an effort to prevent a gathering that had been arranged on the Internet in the wake of the rise of pro-democracy protests around the Arab world.
Activists, inspired by revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, dubbed Monday "the Day of Rage" to express disappointment at the political reforms of the past decade, which have failed to bring prosperity and real change.
The majority Shia population in Bahrain has been complaining about inequality and oppression. The government has been clamping down on the opposition since the country's controversial general elections in August last year.
الشرطة البحرينية تطلق النار على المتظاهرين
Since late Sunday, Bahrain's security forces have been patrolling shopping centers and other locations to monitor people's movements amid calls by opposition groups for pro-democracy protests.
Gilgit Baltistan Issue (Media Report) - Urdu
Situation remains tense in Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday despite lapse of five days to the unfortunate shooting and violence incidents against Shia Muslims, leaving over dozen dead while about 50...
Situation remains tense in Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday despite lapse of five days to the unfortunate shooting and violence incidents against Shia Muslims, leaving over dozen dead while about 50 injured.
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Situation remains tense in Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday despite lapse of five days to the unfortunate shooting and violence incidents against Shia Muslims, leaving over dozen dead while about 50 injured.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah - Message to his Men - Arabic sub English
To the freedom fighters I say - I received your letter and heard your words. I swear to God - you are like you said. Yes - you are the true promise and you are the imminent victory - God willing....
To the freedom fighters I say - I received your letter and heard your words. I swear to God - you are like you said. Yes - you are the true promise and you are the imminent victory - God willing. You are the freedom of the prisoners - the liberation of the land - the defenders of the homeland - honor and dignity. Brothers - you are the authenticity of the history of this nation and you are the salvation of its soul. You are its civilization - culture - value - love and gratitude. You are the slogan of its heroism. You are the immortality of the cedars in our summits - the humbleness of our wheat spikelets in our valleys. You are the self-esteemed people like the high mountains of Lebanon that empowers the powerful and overcomes the haughty. After God - you are the hope and bet. You have been and will remain the hope and bet. I kiss your heads that made all heads high. I kiss your hands that get the grip on the firelock - shooting with the help of God at the killers of his prophets and slaves - shooting those spreading mischief on the land. I kiss your feet that are sinking in the earth without trembling or swaying from their positions even if the mountains had to sway. Brothers -you- who lent their brains to God and watched the far lines of the enemy - my reply to you is my thanks to you because you accepted me as one of you - a brother of yours. This is because you are the leaders - you are the lords - and you are the crown on the head and the pride of this nation. You are the men of God through whom we will triumph.
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To the freedom fighters I say - I received your letter and heard your words. I swear to God - you are like you said. Yes - you are the true promise and you are the imminent victory - God willing. You are the freedom of the prisoners - the liberation of the land - the defenders of the homeland - honor and dignity. Brothers - you are the authenticity of the history of this nation and you are the salvation of its soul. You are its civilization - culture - value - love and gratitude. You are the slogan of its heroism. You are the immortality of the cedars in our summits - the humbleness of our wheat spikelets in our valleys. You are the self-esteemed people like the high mountains of Lebanon that empowers the powerful and overcomes the haughty. After God - you are the hope and bet. You have been and will remain the hope and bet. I kiss your heads that made all heads high. I kiss your hands that get the grip on the firelock - shooting with the help of God at the killers of his prophets and slaves - shooting those spreading mischief on the land. I kiss your feet that are sinking in the earth without trembling or swaying from their positions even if the mountains had to sway. Brothers -you- who lent their brains to God and watched the far lines of the enemy - my reply to you is my thanks to you because you accepted me as one of you - a brother of yours. This is because you are the leaders - you are the lords - and you are the crown on the head and the pride of this nation. You are the men of God through whom we will triumph.
Interview with some ulama about terrorist attack on pilgrims in Quetta Pakistan - 20Sep11 - Urdu
At least 29 Shia Muslim pilgrims have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a bus in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, Press TV reports.
Officials told Press TV that the gunmen...
At least 29 Shia Muslim pilgrims have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a bus in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, Press TV reports.
Officials told Press TV that the gunmen riding motorcycles attacked the bus in Mastung area on Quetta-Taftan road of southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday.
About 30 other people were also injured in the shooting, according to officials. Most of the victims belonged to Hazara tribe of Shia Muslims.
The bus carrying Shia pilgrims was on its way from Quetta to the Iranian border when militants targeted it.
Every year millions of Muslims pilgrims flock to the holy shrines in the Iranian cities of Mashhad and Qom.
Pakistani security forces reached the area and started rescue operation following the incident.
The death toll is expected to rise further as most of the injured are said to be in critical conditions.
No group or person has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pro-Taliban groups have launched a violent campaign against Shia Muslims, and appear to have widened their terror campaign in major Pakistani cities.
Several Shia religious gatherings have been targeted in different parts of the country over the past few months.
Shia sources say they make up one-third of Pakistan's population of nearly 170 million.
Since the 1980s, thousands of people have been killed in sectarian-related incidents in Pakistan.
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Description:
At least 29 Shia Muslim pilgrims have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a bus in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, Press TV reports.
Officials told Press TV that the gunmen riding motorcycles attacked the bus in Mastung area on Quetta-Taftan road of southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday.
About 30 other people were also injured in the shooting, according to officials. Most of the victims belonged to Hazara tribe of Shia Muslims.
The bus carrying Shia pilgrims was on its way from Quetta to the Iranian border when militants targeted it.
Every year millions of Muslims pilgrims flock to the holy shrines in the Iranian cities of Mashhad and Qom.
Pakistani security forces reached the area and started rescue operation following the incident.
The death toll is expected to rise further as most of the injured are said to be in critical conditions.
No group or person has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pro-Taliban groups have launched a violent campaign against Shia Muslims, and appear to have widened their terror campaign in major Pakistani cities.
Several Shia religious gatherings have been targeted in different parts of the country over the past few months.
Shia sources say they make up one-third of Pakistan's population of nearly 170 million.
Since the 1980s, thousands of people have been killed in sectarian-related incidents in Pakistan.
Mohammad Javad Larijani Interview with MSNBC - He Just Shut Up CFR Officials - 17 Nov 2011 - English
Iran's Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights, Mohammad Javad Larijani has said that the recent claims by the International Atomic Energy Agency against Tehran are “laughable.”...
Iran's Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights, Mohammad Javad Larijani has said that the recent claims by the International Atomic Energy Agency against Tehran are “laughable.”
In his November 8 report on Iran's nuclear program, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano claimed that Iran had engaged in activities related to developing nuclear weapons before 2003, adding that these activities “may still be ongoing.”
Based on the report, which Iran has called "unfounded and unbalanced," the IAEA Board of Governors on Friday passed a new resolution on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities.
The resolution voices "deep and increasing concern" over Tehran's nuclear program and also calls for Iran and the IAEA to intensify dialogue to resolve the dispute over the issue.
Larijani made the remarks in a heated television debate aired on the American channel MSNBC.
US president of the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Richard Haass, Mike Barnicle and John Mitchun were the other guests on the television debate.
What follows is a rough transcription of the interview:
MSNBC: Let's go to the heart of the matter when it comes to Iran, the headlines of the past week, the IAEA report found evidence of nuclear weapons program in Iran and you are quoted as saying that is “quite laughable.” Why sir?
Larijani: The reason is very simple. There is no single evidence in that. These allegations which is aired again is based on a document which was put to us four years ago based on a laptop somewhere found by United States authorities.
And at that time, four years ago, it has been discussed with the agency and the conclusion was that none of these allegations could be verified.
So by a letter it has been closed- the whole issue. Then again it has been renewed and [let me] just give you an example. A good part of this so-called document which is on the laptop, for example lecture notes that somebody presented in Brussels or at some universities. Some of them are parts of some textbook as put together with pictures, formulas, so it is totally inconclusive.
MSNBC: Let's back up. Before I send this to Richard Haass- are you saying it doesn't exist? There is no nuclear program?
Larijani: Well we have a very extensive nuclear program but not to the direction of producing arms. Our nuclear project is very extensive, very advanced. We are number one in the Middle East but we are not pursuing the nuclear armament for two basic reasons.
Number one there is a Fatwa by Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader and it is against the Islamic jurisprudence to build and use mass destructing weapons. It is Haram we call it, unlawful.
And secondly, it doesn't add to our security. It is more liability than asset for us. Our military muscle is strong enough to repel or to deter any imminent threat and this is basically very important achievement.
MSNBC: Richard Haass, put this into perspective for us. What the reports were saying and what this gentleman is saying.
Haass: Well quite frankly it is impossible to take the Iranian denial seriously. They are preposterous. The International Atomic Energy Agency taking information from all the member states in the United Nations have put together a comprehensive and extraordinarily damning report.
And what there is, is a pattern, not a single incident, a pattern over years of Iranian program to move in the direction of developing nuclear weapons.
We see a procurement mechanism to gain access to all sorts of equipment, we see all sorts of undeclared efforts to produce nuclear material now up to 20 percent well on its way to what it needs to produce a weapon, most important there is now serious evidence about the Iranian testing of the implosive device that would actually be the heart of the nuclear weapon.
So the idea that the Iranians have all these underground and undeclared facilities, that they have been misleading the International Atomic Energy Agency for years, the idea they're doing this- this oil rich country in order to produce electricity? If you believe that you seriously have to believe in the tooth fairy.
MSNBC: Sir this doesn't sound like preposterous, little pieces of information that were roaming together randomly.
Larijani: Well the whole scenes of allegation is produced and initiated by the United States. It seems there is a good machinery to produce perpetual allegation against Iran, it is not only one case.
I am telling you exactly that there are no secret programs in our nuclear program and development. Iran's transparency is far ahead of United States, far ahead of UK, far ahead of France and incomparable to Israel which is a renegade state in the sense of NPT.
Barnicle: So you allow inspectors to just come into Iran.
Larijani: The inspectors are coming to Iran periodically, the cameras are there 24 hours. This is quite obvious.
Haass: But the whole concept the way this works, just when you talk about inspectors, let's just be clear, I am sure if everyone watching this will understand, the entire international nuclear inspection effort depends upon the willingness of the country in question to cooperate fully.
This is a gentlemen's agreement. They declare their facilities that are involved in the nuclear business then the inspectors come in and look at them. If they do not declare facilities the inspectors don't give a chance and the problem is this is a gentlemen's agreement in a world where not every country is a gentleman.
So Iran quite frankly has undeclared facilities and undeclared programs which the inspectors had not had access to and the reason we only know about it is that member states, not simply the United States sir, but many, many member states of the United Nations have provided independent information to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which by the way you know and I know is not controlled by the United States.
We have fundamental differences with this agency over the years including over Iraq. We had fundamental differences and we've also had differences over Iran where we the United States felt, this agency was not being nearly tough enough. So now they have come in with an extraordinarily damning report and Iranian officials can dismiss it.
MSNBC: So if this is a gentlemen's agreement, the gentlemen certainly don't agree and sir, you seem very confident and almost as if it's funny it's interesting because we interviewed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about this about a year ago, off camera, and he too seemed very comfortable about his position which is similar to yours.
And if you are so comfortable with your position about the lack of nuclear armament and the facilities that the IAEA is talking about, why not let inspectors completely come in? Open the door let them come in and see what you have.
Larijani: Well the mechanism that the gentleman addressed is not complete because first of all there is no single secret installment or activity which is concealed from the agency.
Secondly, two years ago we asked the agency tell us all the questions you have and he managed to put to us six groups of questions. The questions were raised by themselves not dictated by us. So one by one groups of inspectors came to Iran and we cleared them up and there is official letters from them this group has been finished then we moved to another one.
Well it doesn't make sense that every morning somebody says we guess there is some secret things done there. There should be foundation for this allegation. What do you mean the door should be open? They should ask where do you want to inspect? Did they want to inspect my bedroom or other places? I mean it doesn't make sense.
Barnicle: A few moments ago when you mentioned the nuclear programs of other nations I detected a definite edge in your voice when you mentioned the state of Israel. Do you fear an attack from the state of Israel on your nuclear facilities?
Larijani: Well I am beyond the fear. What is the difference between us and Israel? Israel has a bomb, not a member of NPT; it doesn't disclose anything to agency, nothing wrong with it. You see what the double standard is in here.
We are member of NPT, they periodically come to Iran, their cameras are there, we don't have the weapon then the whole pressure is put on us. No, not at all. We don't fear any attack from anyone. We take it serious in our calculation but we don't fear. There is a difference between that.
Mitchum: Given your tone again Sir when you talk about Israel, just a second ago why shouldn't we suspect that there would be ambitions for Iran to join the club of which Israel is a part with the nuclear arms?
Larijani: We are very advanced in the nuclear technology which is a matter of pride for us and that gentleman mentioned that we have plenty of gas and oil with all good calculations, the age of this is up to 20-25 period, 25 years from now.
It means that if we don't have it, then we should beg in front of the Western countries to light our houses and we know how bad they are treating us in this area. We are right now very happy that we have the first power plant, we know how to make the fuel. We already have more than 25 percent share of sodalite and erudite they don't give us a bit of this fuel that we need, even the twenty percent that we needed for Tehran.
Haass: It's important to keep in mind we are not talking about an established democracy that treats its own people with respect, we are talking about a country also that is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. So this is obvious and understandable concern about what Iran is doing.
Larijani: In terms of record I think United States of America is the largest and the greatest country supporting terrorism. The records of terrorist activity which is supported by the tax money of these people is enormous, I can go one by one.
Barnicle: Wait a minute. This is a free country. And part of our gift is we have the liberty and the freedom to say anything and to sound foolish, to sound absurd, to sound smart. That's absurd saying that America is the biggest terrorist nation in the world.
My question to you Sir is, you seem like a really nice guy, alright, why doesn't your country be a better neighbor?
Larijani: We have fantastic relations with all of our neighbors...
Barnicle: Really? [laughing]
Larijani: Definitely, but the policy of demonizing Iran, a very important policy which is pursued in the region- well it has its own benefit.
Barnicle But it's just in little things, like the American tourists cross the border, supposedly cross the border, you grab them, you scoop them, you hold them for months on end. Why?
Larijani: This is a very simple question I answered before; suppose the security of your people...
Barnicle You're here...
Larijani: No, I'm here with visa- It's quite different. [Suppose] The security of the United States' people, on a patrol with Mexico elsewhere they pick 3 Iranians and ask them why are you here? They say well we are just walking in the desert.
Well, with the whole hostility and suspicion which is between the two countries, you are in here to blow up somewhere definitely they will be put into jail for years if not in Guantanamo, they bring them somewhere else.
It took a lot of time that we convince- I was working on this case because they were like me from ... Berkeley. I talked with their families, managed to contact between them and their families when they were arrested- for their families to come to Iran to take the suspicion away.
This is very natural for security of people to suspect a cross bordering which is in the most volatile regional area of Iran- in which there is daily shooting over there.
Barnicle Ok. They're going to blow up the desert. What is the root? What do you think is the root of Iranian paranoia towards the United States and towards many of its neighbors?
What is the root of this paranoia? Is it the fear that we find out about your nuclear program?
Larijani: We don't have any paranoia about our neighbors. We are very suspicious of American paranoia with us. The question is what is wrong with Iran that this persistent hostility...
Barnicle: You have a track record of international terrorism.
Larijani: This is not true. We are ourselves the victim of international terrorism- terrorism in the area. Let me ask you, who was helping Al-Qaida and Taliban for years while we were at war with them in Afghanistan? The United States of America.
The money from the United States was pouring to Al-Qaida and Taliban- the idea was we should curb Iran by another religious front. Is it correct?
Haass: No it's not correct. The United States did support the Mujahidin; obviously in order to get rid of the Soviet... to say that the United States supported Al-Qaida is again preposterous- the fact is that Iran is supporting terrorism in Lebanon, it's supporting groups like Hezbollah, groups like Hamas; it is involved in Iraq; it is involved in Afghanistan.
Iran has basically become a regional power that is trying to destabilize many countries, trying to make them in some ways heavily influenced by Tehran and that is simply a fact of life- which again is one of the reasons the world is so concerned about Iranian nuclear program.
How do we know Iran will not become even more aggressive? How do we know that nuclear materials will not end in the hands of a group like Hezbollah? What do we see about Iran's track record that would lead us to believe that Iran in any way would be responsible with nuclear material?
This is a genuine concern and if you dismiss it as laughable Sir you are seriously underestimating not simply the American, not simply the Israeli, but I would suggest the world's concern over the direction your government is heading.
Larijani: The disastrous thing is the blind policy of the United States in supporting carte blanche renegade Israel which is the source of all tension in the region. If you call Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist groups- they are fighting to be given the permission to live. What about Israel?
Israel is involved in government sponsored terrorism. Kills anybody who thinks that it's not correct and deprives millions of people from basic tenures of life. 60 years of atrocity in that area is supported carte blanche by the US, this is even against the basic interests of that nation- they don't know it.
Mitchum:Sir do you recognize the right of Israel to exist?
Larijani: We recognize the rights of Jews, Christians and Muslims to live together in peace and tranquility- to create a racist regime in the middle of a land put the others out is like creating a small colony for the blacks and leave the rest for the whites.
Mitchum: Thank you for the answer.
Barnicle: The answer is no.
Larijani: No, the answer is not no. We respect any decision by Palestinians. We are not in a position to tell them what kind of state they [should] have. But they should be given the chance to decide.
MSNBC:This has been fascinating and a great picture window into the choices that Americans make when they're choosing their president and also a sense of what our Secretary of State and what our diplomats have to confront in dealing with when they're going out into the world and working with other countries.
It is extremely complicated and often conversations feel like they're going in circles because it's very hard to develop a common understanding or even a place where you can start engaging and I think this was an example of that. Mohammad Javad Larijani, thank you for coming on the show this morning.
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Description:
Iran's Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights, Mohammad Javad Larijani has said that the recent claims by the International Atomic Energy Agency against Tehran are “laughable.”
In his November 8 report on Iran's nuclear program, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano claimed that Iran had engaged in activities related to developing nuclear weapons before 2003, adding that these activities “may still be ongoing.”
Based on the report, which Iran has called "unfounded and unbalanced," the IAEA Board of Governors on Friday passed a new resolution on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities.
The resolution voices "deep and increasing concern" over Tehran's nuclear program and also calls for Iran and the IAEA to intensify dialogue to resolve the dispute over the issue.
Larijani made the remarks in a heated television debate aired on the American channel MSNBC.
US president of the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Richard Haass, Mike Barnicle and John Mitchun were the other guests on the television debate.
What follows is a rough transcription of the interview:
MSNBC: Let's go to the heart of the matter when it comes to Iran, the headlines of the past week, the IAEA report found evidence of nuclear weapons program in Iran and you are quoted as saying that is “quite laughable.” Why sir?
Larijani: The reason is very simple. There is no single evidence in that. These allegations which is aired again is based on a document which was put to us four years ago based on a laptop somewhere found by United States authorities.
And at that time, four years ago, it has been discussed with the agency and the conclusion was that none of these allegations could be verified.
So by a letter it has been closed- the whole issue. Then again it has been renewed and [let me] just give you an example. A good part of this so-called document which is on the laptop, for example lecture notes that somebody presented in Brussels or at some universities. Some of them are parts of some textbook as put together with pictures, formulas, so it is totally inconclusive.
MSNBC: Let's back up. Before I send this to Richard Haass- are you saying it doesn't exist? There is no nuclear program?
Larijani: Well we have a very extensive nuclear program but not to the direction of producing arms. Our nuclear project is very extensive, very advanced. We are number one in the Middle East but we are not pursuing the nuclear armament for two basic reasons.
Number one there is a Fatwa by Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader and it is against the Islamic jurisprudence to build and use mass destructing weapons. It is Haram we call it, unlawful.
And secondly, it doesn't add to our security. It is more liability than asset for us. Our military muscle is strong enough to repel or to deter any imminent threat and this is basically very important achievement.
MSNBC: Richard Haass, put this into perspective for us. What the reports were saying and what this gentleman is saying.
Haass: Well quite frankly it is impossible to take the Iranian denial seriously. They are preposterous. The International Atomic Energy Agency taking information from all the member states in the United Nations have put together a comprehensive and extraordinarily damning report.
And what there is, is a pattern, not a single incident, a pattern over years of Iranian program to move in the direction of developing nuclear weapons.
We see a procurement mechanism to gain access to all sorts of equipment, we see all sorts of undeclared efforts to produce nuclear material now up to 20 percent well on its way to what it needs to produce a weapon, most important there is now serious evidence about the Iranian testing of the implosive device that would actually be the heart of the nuclear weapon.
So the idea that the Iranians have all these underground and undeclared facilities, that they have been misleading the International Atomic Energy Agency for years, the idea they're doing this- this oil rich country in order to produce electricity? If you believe that you seriously have to believe in the tooth fairy.
MSNBC: Sir this doesn't sound like preposterous, little pieces of information that were roaming together randomly.
Larijani: Well the whole scenes of allegation is produced and initiated by the United States. It seems there is a good machinery to produce perpetual allegation against Iran, it is not only one case.
I am telling you exactly that there are no secret programs in our nuclear program and development. Iran's transparency is far ahead of United States, far ahead of UK, far ahead of France and incomparable to Israel which is a renegade state in the sense of NPT.
Barnicle: So you allow inspectors to just come into Iran.
Larijani: The inspectors are coming to Iran periodically, the cameras are there 24 hours. This is quite obvious.
Haass: But the whole concept the way this works, just when you talk about inspectors, let's just be clear, I am sure if everyone watching this will understand, the entire international nuclear inspection effort depends upon the willingness of the country in question to cooperate fully.
This is a gentlemen's agreement. They declare their facilities that are involved in the nuclear business then the inspectors come in and look at them. If they do not declare facilities the inspectors don't give a chance and the problem is this is a gentlemen's agreement in a world where not every country is a gentleman.
So Iran quite frankly has undeclared facilities and undeclared programs which the inspectors had not had access to and the reason we only know about it is that member states, not simply the United States sir, but many, many member states of the United Nations have provided independent information to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which by the way you know and I know is not controlled by the United States.
We have fundamental differences with this agency over the years including over Iraq. We had fundamental differences and we've also had differences over Iran where we the United States felt, this agency was not being nearly tough enough. So now they have come in with an extraordinarily damning report and Iranian officials can dismiss it.
MSNBC: So if this is a gentlemen's agreement, the gentlemen certainly don't agree and sir, you seem very confident and almost as if it's funny it's interesting because we interviewed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about this about a year ago, off camera, and he too seemed very comfortable about his position which is similar to yours.
And if you are so comfortable with your position about the lack of nuclear armament and the facilities that the IAEA is talking about, why not let inspectors completely come in? Open the door let them come in and see what you have.
Larijani: Well the mechanism that the gentleman addressed is not complete because first of all there is no single secret installment or activity which is concealed from the agency.
Secondly, two years ago we asked the agency tell us all the questions you have and he managed to put to us six groups of questions. The questions were raised by themselves not dictated by us. So one by one groups of inspectors came to Iran and we cleared them up and there is official letters from them this group has been finished then we moved to another one.
Well it doesn't make sense that every morning somebody says we guess there is some secret things done there. There should be foundation for this allegation. What do you mean the door should be open? They should ask where do you want to inspect? Did they want to inspect my bedroom or other places? I mean it doesn't make sense.
Barnicle: A few moments ago when you mentioned the nuclear programs of other nations I detected a definite edge in your voice when you mentioned the state of Israel. Do you fear an attack from the state of Israel on your nuclear facilities?
Larijani: Well I am beyond the fear. What is the difference between us and Israel? Israel has a bomb, not a member of NPT; it doesn't disclose anything to agency, nothing wrong with it. You see what the double standard is in here.
We are member of NPT, they periodically come to Iran, their cameras are there, we don't have the weapon then the whole pressure is put on us. No, not at all. We don't fear any attack from anyone. We take it serious in our calculation but we don't fear. There is a difference between that.
Mitchum: Given your tone again Sir when you talk about Israel, just a second ago why shouldn't we suspect that there would be ambitions for Iran to join the club of which Israel is a part with the nuclear arms?
Larijani: We are very advanced in the nuclear technology which is a matter of pride for us and that gentleman mentioned that we have plenty of gas and oil with all good calculations, the age of this is up to 20-25 period, 25 years from now.
It means that if we don't have it, then we should beg in front of the Western countries to light our houses and we know how bad they are treating us in this area. We are right now very happy that we have the first power plant, we know how to make the fuel. We already have more than 25 percent share of sodalite and erudite they don't give us a bit of this fuel that we need, even the twenty percent that we needed for Tehran.
Haass: It's important to keep in mind we are not talking about an established democracy that treats its own people with respect, we are talking about a country also that is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. So this is obvious and understandable concern about what Iran is doing.
Larijani: In terms of record I think United States of America is the largest and the greatest country supporting terrorism. The records of terrorist activity which is supported by the tax money of these people is enormous, I can go one by one.
Barnicle: Wait a minute. This is a free country. And part of our gift is we have the liberty and the freedom to say anything and to sound foolish, to sound absurd, to sound smart. That's absurd saying that America is the biggest terrorist nation in the world.
My question to you Sir is, you seem like a really nice guy, alright, why doesn't your country be a better neighbor?
Larijani: We have fantastic relations with all of our neighbors...
Barnicle: Really? [laughing]
Larijani: Definitely, but the policy of demonizing Iran, a very important policy which is pursued in the region- well it has its own benefit.
Barnicle But it's just in little things, like the American tourists cross the border, supposedly cross the border, you grab them, you scoop them, you hold them for months on end. Why?
Larijani: This is a very simple question I answered before; suppose the security of your people...
Barnicle You're here...
Larijani: No, I'm here with visa- It's quite different. [Suppose] The security of the United States' people, on a patrol with Mexico elsewhere they pick 3 Iranians and ask them why are you here? They say well we are just walking in the desert.
Well, with the whole hostility and suspicion which is between the two countries, you are in here to blow up somewhere definitely they will be put into jail for years if not in Guantanamo, they bring them somewhere else.
It took a lot of time that we convince- I was working on this case because they were like me from ... Berkeley. I talked with their families, managed to contact between them and their families when they were arrested- for their families to come to Iran to take the suspicion away.
This is very natural for security of people to suspect a cross bordering which is in the most volatile regional area of Iran- in which there is daily shooting over there.
Barnicle Ok. They're going to blow up the desert. What is the root? What do you think is the root of Iranian paranoia towards the United States and towards many of its neighbors?
What is the root of this paranoia? Is it the fear that we find out about your nuclear program?
Larijani: We don't have any paranoia about our neighbors. We are very suspicious of American paranoia with us. The question is what is wrong with Iran that this persistent hostility...
Barnicle: You have a track record of international terrorism.
Larijani: This is not true. We are ourselves the victim of international terrorism- terrorism in the area. Let me ask you, who was helping Al-Qaida and Taliban for years while we were at war with them in Afghanistan? The United States of America.
The money from the United States was pouring to Al-Qaida and Taliban- the idea was we should curb Iran by another religious front. Is it correct?
Haass: No it's not correct. The United States did support the Mujahidin; obviously in order to get rid of the Soviet... to say that the United States supported Al-Qaida is again preposterous- the fact is that Iran is supporting terrorism in Lebanon, it's supporting groups like Hezbollah, groups like Hamas; it is involved in Iraq; it is involved in Afghanistan.
Iran has basically become a regional power that is trying to destabilize many countries, trying to make them in some ways heavily influenced by Tehran and that is simply a fact of life- which again is one of the reasons the world is so concerned about Iranian nuclear program.
How do we know Iran will not become even more aggressive? How do we know that nuclear materials will not end in the hands of a group like Hezbollah? What do we see about Iran's track record that would lead us to believe that Iran in any way would be responsible with nuclear material?
This is a genuine concern and if you dismiss it as laughable Sir you are seriously underestimating not simply the American, not simply the Israeli, but I would suggest the world's concern over the direction your government is heading.
Larijani: The disastrous thing is the blind policy of the United States in supporting carte blanche renegade Israel which is the source of all tension in the region. If you call Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist groups- they are fighting to be given the permission to live. What about Israel?
Israel is involved in government sponsored terrorism. Kills anybody who thinks that it's not correct and deprives millions of people from basic tenures of life. 60 years of atrocity in that area is supported carte blanche by the US, this is even against the basic interests of that nation- they don't know it.
Mitchum:Sir do you recognize the right of Israel to exist?
Larijani: We recognize the rights of Jews, Christians and Muslims to live together in peace and tranquility- to create a racist regime in the middle of a land put the others out is like creating a small colony for the blacks and leave the rest for the whites.
Mitchum: Thank you for the answer.
Barnicle: The answer is no.
Larijani: No, the answer is not no. We respect any decision by Palestinians. We are not in a position to tell them what kind of state they [should] have. But they should be given the chance to decide.
MSNBC:This has been fascinating and a great picture window into the choices that Americans make when they're choosing their president and also a sense of what our Secretary of State and what our diplomats have to confront in dealing with when they're going out into the world and working with other countries.
It is extremely complicated and often conversations feel like they're going in circles because it's very hard to develop a common understanding or even a place where you can start engaging and I think this was an example of that. Mohammad Javad Larijani, thank you for coming on the show this morning.
Drone -Cyber war accelerates between Iran and US, RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft - English
RT’s ongoing investigation of American drone aircraft being downed as a possible result of a cyber attack has been accentuated by recent confirmations by way of a documentary out of Mexico.
The...
RT’s ongoing investigation of American drone aircraft being downed as a possible result of a cyber attack has been accentuated by recent confirmations by way of a documentary out of Mexico.
The Spanish-language television network Univision has aired a program in which undercover footage allegedly shows Iranian officials discussing ways to go about an attack on America’s infrastructure, specifically attempting to recruit Mexican computer hackers to target the Department of Defense and the CIA’s computer systems.
According to the Washington Times, US officials are now investigating reports that authorities from Iran and Venezuela plotted cyber attacks against America’s military, in what comes as the latest revelation in a quickly unraveling story of cyber war escalating between Tehran and Washington. In the most recent news break, however, a front to the south of the United States could be opening up as Iran tries to take down the American military with the aid of hackers living only next door.
The Times’ report alleges that hackers were discussing potential attacks on the DoD and Central Intelligence Agency. This news comes days after the United States managed to lose contact with two high-tech drone aircraft belonging to the CIA, one two weeks ago over Iran and one this Tuesday over the Indian Ocean island of Seychelles.
In the case of the RQ170 Sentinel craft captured by Tehran, that drone was dispatched from Creech Air Force Base in the state of Nevada. Earlier this year, RT reported that a key-logger virus infiltrated the cockpits of crafts in the base, with Air Force personnel left in the dark until days after the infection took hold. Military personnel later shrugged the incident off as a nuisance and nothing more, but with two drones in two weeks now mysteriously going off the radar, American eyes are now looking towards Tehran — and perhaps a partnership with international hackers — as the threat of an all-out cyber war escalates.
In the report published this week by the Washington Times, it is alleged that the Mexican hackers instructed by Iranian officials were told to crack passwords that would allow for access into protected American computer systems.
Univision says that among the targets intended in the attack against America were nuclear facilities. Coincidently, the nuclear infrastructure of Iran was threatened in 2010 by a computer worm named Stuxnet, believed by many to be the brainchild of American programmers. Earlier in 2011, researcher Ralph Langner told an audience at a TED talk that he thought Stuxnet was of Israeli origin, but added, "The leading force behind Stuxnet is the cyber superpower – there is only one; and that's the United States."
If a cyber war is being waged against America, US officials are remaining relatively mum on the matter. In the case of the Sentinel lost over Iran, the US first denied a crash, only to later confirm that a craft was lost over Afghanistan and was believed to be obliterated. Within days, however, Iran provided footage of the craft in pristine condition much to the chagrin of Washington. American authorities went on to dismiss the craft as a fake before US President Barack Obama asked Tehran to return what was in fact the drone in question.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded by shooting down Obama’s plea, telling Venezuelan state television this week, “The Americans have perhaps decided to give us this spy plane. We now have control of this plane.” Iranian authorities now claim that the gift from America is almost done being decoded and its technology will be adapted into its own arsenal.
On Tuesday of this week, an MQ-9 Reaper drone was downed in Seychelles and crash-landed at an air base there that has been under American occupation since 2009. The US uses the island nation to dispatch drones for surveillance over Somalia and to counter piracy in the Indian Ocean. Once again, in this case American authorities are insisting that the craft has been charred beyond repair and are working in conjunction with overseas officials to return the craft to the US.
An investigation over that crash is pending, but officials are for now saying that the “failure was due to mechanical reasons.” At a price tag of around $30 million per craft, it is suspicious that a minor malfunction under the hood of what is the Cadillac of unmanned spy planes can cause the craft to come to a crashing, fiery halt.
The Washington Times adds in their report that State Department spokesman William Ostick believes federal authorities to be investigating the allegation brought forth against Iran by Univision, but formally has declared that officials lack information that corroborates on the allegation. Senator Robert Menendez (NJ-Dem) is now also calling for a congressional hearing to investigate Iranian action in Latin America. Menendez also sits as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
“If Iran is using regional actors to facilitate and direct activities against the United States, this would represent a substantial increase in the level of the Iranian threat and would necessitate an immediate response,” Menendez says.
Earlier in 2011, American authorities alleged that Iran had recruited members from a Mexican drug cartel to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States on American soil. While the plot was foiled by US intelligence, the latest revelations add a new piece to a puzzle that shows an increasingly tense standoff between Tehran and Washington.
More...
Description:
RT’s ongoing investigation of American drone aircraft being downed as a possible result of a cyber attack has been accentuated by recent confirmations by way of a documentary out of Mexico.
The Spanish-language television network Univision has aired a program in which undercover footage allegedly shows Iranian officials discussing ways to go about an attack on America’s infrastructure, specifically attempting to recruit Mexican computer hackers to target the Department of Defense and the CIA’s computer systems.
According to the Washington Times, US officials are now investigating reports that authorities from Iran and Venezuela plotted cyber attacks against America’s military, in what comes as the latest revelation in a quickly unraveling story of cyber war escalating between Tehran and Washington. In the most recent news break, however, a front to the south of the United States could be opening up as Iran tries to take down the American military with the aid of hackers living only next door.
The Times’ report alleges that hackers were discussing potential attacks on the DoD and Central Intelligence Agency. This news comes days after the United States managed to lose contact with two high-tech drone aircraft belonging to the CIA, one two weeks ago over Iran and one this Tuesday over the Indian Ocean island of Seychelles.
In the case of the RQ170 Sentinel craft captured by Tehran, that drone was dispatched from Creech Air Force Base in the state of Nevada. Earlier this year, RT reported that a key-logger virus infiltrated the cockpits of crafts in the base, with Air Force personnel left in the dark until days after the infection took hold. Military personnel later shrugged the incident off as a nuisance and nothing more, but with two drones in two weeks now mysteriously going off the radar, American eyes are now looking towards Tehran — and perhaps a partnership with international hackers — as the threat of an all-out cyber war escalates.
In the report published this week by the Washington Times, it is alleged that the Mexican hackers instructed by Iranian officials were told to crack passwords that would allow for access into protected American computer systems.
Univision says that among the targets intended in the attack against America were nuclear facilities. Coincidently, the nuclear infrastructure of Iran was threatened in 2010 by a computer worm named Stuxnet, believed by many to be the brainchild of American programmers. Earlier in 2011, researcher Ralph Langner told an audience at a TED talk that he thought Stuxnet was of Israeli origin, but added, "The leading force behind Stuxnet is the cyber superpower – there is only one; and that's the United States."
If a cyber war is being waged against America, US officials are remaining relatively mum on the matter. In the case of the Sentinel lost over Iran, the US first denied a crash, only to later confirm that a craft was lost over Afghanistan and was believed to be obliterated. Within days, however, Iran provided footage of the craft in pristine condition much to the chagrin of Washington. American authorities went on to dismiss the craft as a fake before US President Barack Obama asked Tehran to return what was in fact the drone in question.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded by shooting down Obama’s plea, telling Venezuelan state television this week, “The Americans have perhaps decided to give us this spy plane. We now have control of this plane.” Iranian authorities now claim that the gift from America is almost done being decoded and its technology will be adapted into its own arsenal.
On Tuesday of this week, an MQ-9 Reaper drone was downed in Seychelles and crash-landed at an air base there that has been under American occupation since 2009. The US uses the island nation to dispatch drones for surveillance over Somalia and to counter piracy in the Indian Ocean. Once again, in this case American authorities are insisting that the craft has been charred beyond repair and are working in conjunction with overseas officials to return the craft to the US.
An investigation over that crash is pending, but officials are for now saying that the “failure was due to mechanical reasons.” At a price tag of around $30 million per craft, it is suspicious that a minor malfunction under the hood of what is the Cadillac of unmanned spy planes can cause the craft to come to a crashing, fiery halt.
The Washington Times adds in their report that State Department spokesman William Ostick believes federal authorities to be investigating the allegation brought forth against Iran by Univision, but formally has declared that officials lack information that corroborates on the allegation. Senator Robert Menendez (NJ-Dem) is now also calling for a congressional hearing to investigate Iranian action in Latin America. Menendez also sits as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
“If Iran is using regional actors to facilitate and direct activities against the United States, this would represent a substantial increase in the level of the Iranian threat and would necessitate an immediate response,” Menendez says.
Earlier in 2011, American authorities alleged that Iran had recruited members from a Mexican drug cartel to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States on American soil. While the plot was foiled by US intelligence, the latest revelations add a new piece to a puzzle that shows an increasingly tense standoff between Tehran and Washington.
*VIEWER DISCRETION* 1st Pro-Democracy killing in Bahrain - Arabic
'Saudi Arabia sends troops to Bahrain'
Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political...
'Saudi Arabia sends troops to Bahrain'
Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says.
Bahrain police kill two protesters
Bahraini security forces have shot dead two Shia protesters at the funeral of a pro-democracy demonstrator who died of his wounds a day after Monday's "Day of Rage" rallies in the capital Manama.
http://www.presstv.com/section/351020205.html
More...
Description:
'Saudi Arabia sends troops to Bahrain'
Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says.
Bahrain police kill two protesters
Bahraini security forces have shot dead two Shia protesters at the funeral of a pro-democracy demonstrator who died of his wounds a day after Monday's "Day of Rage" rallies in the capital Manama.
http://www.presstv.com/section/351020205.html
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[21 Oct 2013] Number of mass shooting incidents has tripled in recent years: US attorney general - English
US attorney general Eric Holder says the number of mass shooting incidents in the country has tripled in recent years.
Holder made the remarks at the annual conference of the International...
US attorney general Eric Holder says the number of mass shooting incidents in the country has tripled in recent years.
Holder made the remarks at the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in the US city of Chicago. He also said between 2000 and 2008, the country experienced an average of five mass shootings every year. But since then, the annual average of mass shooting incidents has tripled. Holder also said the country has witnessed at least 12 mass shootings this year. The US has one of the highest rates of gun-related crimes in the world. Reports say over 9-thousand people lost their lives in gun crimes since the deadly Newtown shooting incident back in 2012.
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Description:
US attorney general Eric Holder says the number of mass shooting incidents in the country has tripled in recent years.
Holder made the remarks at the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in the US city of Chicago. He also said between 2000 and 2008, the country experienced an average of five mass shootings every year. But since then, the annual average of mass shooting incidents has tripled. Holder also said the country has witnessed at least 12 mass shootings this year. The US has one of the highest rates of gun-related crimes in the world. Reports say over 9-thousand people lost their lives in gun crimes since the deadly Newtown shooting incident back in 2012.
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[21 Oct 2013] 2 dead 2 wounded in Nevada shooting - English
Another shooting incident in the US. A shooter at a middle school in Nevada shot a teacher dead and injured two other students before turning the gun on himself.
The incident happened just...
Another shooting incident in the US. A shooter at a middle school in Nevada shot a teacher dead and injured two other students before turning the gun on himself.
The incident happened just before the scheduled start of classes. Reports say the shooter was a student at the school. The middle school and an elementary school next door were evacuated after the shooting. The incident was the latest in a string of shooting rampages across the United States in recent years, which have reignited a national debate over gun control.
More...
Description:
Another shooting incident in the US. A shooter at a middle school in Nevada shot a teacher dead and injured two other students before turning the gun on himself.
The incident happened just before the scheduled start of classes. Reports say the shooter was a student at the school. The middle school and an elementary school next door were evacuated after the shooting. The incident was the latest in a string of shooting rampages across the United States in recent years, which have reignited a national debate over gun control.
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