Geneva Accords Signed by outcast former government officials Yossi Beilin on the Israeli side and Yasser Abed Rabbo on the Palestinian side, this agreement is not receiving much support from anyone and is expected to fade away quickly. The accords were not negotiated by people with power, but aimed to show it is possible to solve the most difficult elements of the conflict. The agreement is reported by the negotiators to be complementary to the American 'road map' for peace, which initially called for a Palestinian state in 2004, but now 2005. Sharon has publicly warned America not to support the initiative. Yasser Arafat initially gave mixed reactions.
Syria threatens Israel by offering Peace Talks It has become clear that shortly after the Israeli October attack on Damascus, Syria's president agreed to a proposal to end violence along Israel's northern border if Israel promised to stop violating Lebanon's airspace and not to attack Syrian territory. Peace talks between Israel and Syria were suspended in 2000. The ceasefire would be followed by efforts to restart negotiations. Israel did not respond to the proposal, but non-officials opposed to the idea made statements such as, "Israel can not negotiate peace on two fronts."
UN vote condemning Israel The UN General Assembly held its annual vote on 7 resolutions condemning Israel. Concerning Jerusalem, a motion passed 155-8 declaring that Israeli actions to impose laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City are "illegal and therefore null and void and have no validity whatsoever." The resolution also criticised governments that have set up diplomatic missions in Jerusalem. The eight countries that voted against were the United States, Israel, Palau, Nauru, Costa Rica, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Uganda.
US 'Administrator' Paul Bremer ambushed in Iraq Bremer was ambushed in Baghdad near the International Airport but escaped unharmed. The attack began with a roadside bomb then the convoy was hit with light arms fire... they quickly sped away. He did not inform the press until over a week after they caught Saddam. He claims the ambush was just a regular attack on their convoy, described as a "target of opportunity", and not an assassination attempt. (1)
UN to determine legality of Israel's "security barrier" The U.N. General Assembly voted 90-8 with 74 abstentions to support a petition to the International Criminal Court in the Hague to rule on the legality of Israel's West Bank "security barrier" -- referred to by Arabs as a wall, and Israelis as a fence. The Hague has the power to issue binding decisions, but in this case the type of advisory opinion requested by the resolution is not binding. A similar resolution passed in October with a 144-4 vote and 12 abstentions.
Israel has men on the ground in Iraq It is revealed that Israel has been contributing intelligence, tactics and technology mostly in secret, according to congressional aides and analysts. Israel is reported to have sent "advisors" to American units in Iraq, and to be training American forces.
USA Sanctions Syria The sanctions legislation prohibits US exports to Syria of weaponry and so-called "dual-use" technology, although the bill gives Bush the power to waive the sanctions at will. It also introduces possible restrictions on US exports and business investment, a downgrading of Washington's diplomatic representation, a travel restriction on Syrian diplomats in the United States, the power to freeze Syria's assets in the United States and restrict overflight rights for Syrian aircraft inside US airspace. It also calls on Syria to end the "occupation" of Lebanon. "Today, I have signed into law HR 1828, the 'Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003." - President Bush.
Saddam Captured American armed forces find Saddam Hussein, they claim, hiding in a hole with rats. He was protected by 2 guards, and along with him, they find US$750 000, and a few guns. (1)(2)
Pakistani President escapes Assassination Attempt "Terrorists" blew up a bridge in an attempt to assassinate Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. We can only assume this is related to Al-Qaeda, but it is not known definitively. Musharraf said his motorcade drove over the bridge in Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, less than a minute before the blast. "I felt the explosion in my car. That's all I know except of course it was a terrorist act and it certainly was me who was targeted. Let me say with confidence, I'm used to such incidents � it's happened before," - Pervez Musharraf (1)(2)
US bars non-supporting nations from getting contracts One day before sending James Baker to Europe to try and convince France and Germany to reduce Iraqi foreign debt, the Pentagon has barred companies from any nation opposed to the war in Iraq from bidding on "prime" contracts, although they may still bid on sub contracts. They drew up a list of 63 nations whose firms are eligible. The decision is supported by President Bush, but critized around the world for being a barrier between restoring relations between countries on opposing sides of the Iraq war, and not being in the best interest of Iraqis.
France and Germany agree to negotiate Iraqi debt relief "France, Germany and the United States agree that there should be substantial debt reduction for Iraq in the Paris Club in 2004, and will work closely with each other and with other countries to achieve this objective," the three countries said in a joint statement issued in Berlin, Paris and Washington. The Paris Club is a group of 19 industrialized countries that have jointly worked to alleviate the financial obligations of over-indebted countries since 1956. Paris Club members, including France, Germany and Russia are owed about US$40 Billion, while other countries and private creditors are estimated to be owed about US$80 Billion.
Iran owed reparations by Iraq "[Iran] deserves reparations... Whether we will pay or not is something which we need to discuss further." - The current head of the Iraqi Governing Council Abdelaziz al-Hakim. Iraq invaded Iran in 1980, which lead to an 8 year war in which 1 million people died. Iran is claiming US$100 billion in damages, but is unlikely to get much if anything. (1)
Iran Signs Deal to Open Nuclear Complexes Iran has signed an agreement opening its nuclear facilities to intrusive and unannounced inspections, a demand pushed by several Western nations, the United States and Canada among them, amid suspicions that Iran might be concealing an atomic weapons program. (1)
Israel threatens to quit peace process In what was billed as a "major policy" address, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has threatened to disengage unilaterally from any attempts to negotiate peace and take, what he calls, "fundamental" steps to secure Israel. "This plan will only be implemented if the Palestinians drag their feet and refuse to implement the road map...We will not wait for them forever." - Ariel Sharon. Of course, it has always been Sharon who refused to implement the road map in any way other then empty words and has resisted any attempts to negotiate in good faith.
Al-Qaeda warns America Arabic satellite news channel Al Jazeera broadcasted an audio tape reportedly from Al Qaeda's #2 Ayman Al Zawahri in which he claimed to be "chasing" Americans even on their land. Earlier reports during Ramadan (which ended Nov 24) indicated that Al-Qaeda was apparently threatening to kill 100,000 Americans very soon.
Pakistan offers to ignore UN resolutions on Kashmir India has welcomed a statement from Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf which offers to set aside Pakistan's 50 year demand for a U.N. mandated referendum on the future of the disputed Kashmir region. Resolutions call for both armies to withdraw and for the people of Kashmir to vote on whether to join India or Pakistan.
Libya agrees to dismantle WMD programs The President of Libya, Colonel Muammar Al-Qaddafi, has said his country sought to develop weapons of mass destruction but will dismantle all WMD programs. He invited western inspectors into the country to find anything and destroy anything hoping this move will carry favor with the Americans and help improve relations. Libya likely does not have a large number, if any, sophisticated programs or weapons. It is believed at this point they have a small number of chemical weapons, perhaps some interests in biological weapons, and they are believed to have had some past nuclear cooperation with China and the former Soviet Union.
Homeland Security Raises Terror Threat Level Saying intelligence chatter is more intense then at any time since 911, the threat level was raised by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to high (orange). The media however fails to mentions that "since 911" implies there was a higher terror threat level the day before 911... and the government did nothing.
Israel threatens to shoot down Egyptian planes Israel has issued a public threat to shoot down Egyptian unmaned drones they claim are spying on Israeli nuclear sites. There was no response from the Egyptian government to confirm that Egyptian UAV's are indeed flying over Israel.
Egyptian Foreign Minister attacked in Jerusalem Ahmed Maher was attacked by a group of Palestinians yelling "traitor" at the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem. He fell to the ground and was taken to hospital, but officials say he was not injured seriously. (1)
Pakistani Nuclear Scientists Helping Iran? Pakistan begins an investigation of the possible transfer to Iran of sensitive nuclear technology information and designs. "There are indications that certain individuals might have been motivated by personal ambition or greed, but let me add we have not made a final determination." - Masood Khan, the spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry.
Pakistani President agrees to step down from military Pervez Musharraf will continue as President of Pakistan, but he will step down from his post as head of the military. Update: 1 week later a bill was passed in the Parliament allowing Musharraf to remain in his military position for another year.
Flights Canceled, No Plots Uncovered American warnings of a plot to hijack some planes prompted Air France to cancel six flights between Paris and Los Angeles - three in each direction. Seven men were questioned, nothing happened, nothing was found... America remains at a High (Orange) level of alert.
Pakistani President attacked again For the second time this month Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was attacked most probably by Al-Qaeda. Two vans entered his motorcade, one at the front and one at the rear, then exploded. 15 people died, 46 were wounded, but the President was unharmed. His car however was damaged - the windshield shattered. (1)
Earthquake in Iran An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the richter scale hit the ancient city of Bam and destroyed 60% of the homes. Up to 50,000 are dead, many more injured and as many as 100,000 are left homeless. The government has asked for and received international aid, including from the United States.
Propaganda in Britain The British government confirmed that MI6 had a campaign called "Operation Mass Appeal" to plant stories in the media about Saddam Hussein's (apparently non-existant) weapons of mass destruction.
Sharon orders some settlements closed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon signed an order to evacuate just 4 tiny settlements, 3 of which are not even inhabited. An earlier list of 8 settlements was abandoned after fierce resistance from settlers.
US warns of long normalization process with Libya The United States, as expected, will continue to manufacture excuses to keep Qaddafi isolated. The US state department has publicly warned Libya to expect a "long process" for normalization of relations, despite Tripoli's decision to abandon weapons of mass destruction.
IAEA visits Nuclear Facilities in Libya International Atomic Energy Agency director Muhammed El Baradei said that Libya was 'very cooperative' in the first phases of inspections. Baradei said Libya was in the very early stages of the development of a weapons program (which is likely code for meaning they had very little). Libya admits to buying equipment from the black market.
Americans may ban some foreign airlines Effective immediately, under new flight restrictions foreign airlines may be denied access to American airspace if they refuse to place armed marshals on specified flights. "Any sovereign government retains the right to revoke the privilege of flying to and from a country or even over their airspace... So ultimately a denial of access is the leverage that you have." - Tom Ridge, US Secretary of Homeland Security.
Ashcroft recuses himself from CIA-leak investigation US Attorney General John Ashcroft recused himself from the investigation over who leaked the name of a CIA operative, allegedly to get back at her husband for making anti-Bush remarks. The Justice Department appointed Patrick J. Fitzgerald to take over the investigation.
Iraq's US appointed Governing Council wants French and Russian firms Iraq's Governing Council has decided to let French and Russian firms compete for oil contracts despite opposition from pro-US council members. They could even honor agreements made by Saddam Hussein. "We asked Paris and Moscow to be involved in the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty and reconstruction, including oil. We do not want them to be isolated from Iraq." - Hamid al-Bayati, a senior official with the main Shi'ite Islamic group Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq
US claims Saddam admits to hiding US$40 Billion "The Governing Council is searching for US$40 billion of funds seized by Saddam when he was in power and which has been deposited in Switzerland, Japan, Germany and other countries under the names of fictitious companies." - Iyad Allawi, a member of the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council.
Israel says it will change route of wall It seems Israel would like the world to believe it is "changing the route" of the "security barrier" in response to protests and international pressure... But in reality the changes are very minor, if any at all. They claim they are trying to make life easier for the Palestinians, but the proposed route changes are not final and simply involve openning a hole east of Qalqilyah and abandoning the planned wall around village of Baka al-Sharkiya.
Refusnik's threatened The commander of Israel's elite commando unit Sayeret said that if the 13 reservist soldiers do not withdraw their refusal to serve within Gaza or the West Bank within ten days, then he will be forced to expel them from the unit.
