Peres Pledges support for Sharon Israeli Labour leader Shimon Peres announces he will back PM Ariel Sharon in parliament should some pro-settler parties in his coalition try to defeat a plan to uproot 17 of the 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. Critics accuse Sharon of diverting attention over his bribery scandal.
Egyptian Judge to remain on the UN Panel Israel tried to have Judge Nabil Elaraby removed from the tribunal which will rule on the legality of the "security barrier" being built by Israel in Palestinian land. By a vote of 13-1, the court ruled to allow Elaraby to remain on the bench. U.S. judge Thomas Buergenthal was the lone dissenter.
America to discuss relations with Libya U.S. and Libyan officials will meet in London on Feb. 6 for talks. They are expected to discuss the US economic sanctions and US diplomatic presence in Tripoli.
Ricin found in US Senator's office Three US Senate office buildings were closed after toxic ricin powder, which can be lethal if inhaled or injested, was found in the mailroom of Republican Senator majority leader Bill Frist.
Father of Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program Admits Guilt Pakistani scientist and hero Abdul Qadeer Khan gave a somber admission on state television admitting to illegally selling nuclear technology to other nations. His address absolves the government and fellow scientists of blame.
Tenet Says Analysts Never Painted Iraq as Imminent Threat "The question being asked about Iraq in the starkest terms is, were we right or were we wrong? In the intelligence business, you are almost never completely wrong or completely right... Let me be clear. Analysts differed on several important aspects of these programs, and those debates were spelled out in the estimate. They never said there was an imminent threat. Rather, they painted an objective assessment for our policymakers of a brutal dictator who was continuing his efforts to deceive and build programs that might constantly surprise us and threaten our interests. No one told us what to say or how to say it." CIA Director George Tenet in a speach at Georgetown University.
Ayatolla Al-Sistani Escapes Assassination Attempt While visiting supporters in Najaf, gunmen openned fire. Al-Sistani was not injured. It is not clear who was behind the attack.
911 Terrorist Suspect Released A Moroccan man who was accused of helping to coordinate the 911 attacks was acquitted by a court in Hamburg Germany. The judge complained about difficulties in getting access to intelligence agency files and al-Qaida members in U.S. custody. (note: Does that mean the intelligence agencies are hiding the fact they have no evidence?) "You are acquitted not because the court is convinced of your innocence, but because the evidence was not enough to convict you." - The Judge.
AQ Khan pardoned by Pakistani President President Musharraf has pardoned Khan for selling nuclear technology to other nations, possibly including Iran and North Korea. Khan remains a national hero.
Guard denies attempt on Al-Sistani's life Al-Sistani's bodyguard, Abu Mohammed, is quoted by AP as saying, "There's no truth to this news. His eminence is in very good health and hasn't been subjected to any assassination attempts. ... He hasn't been out and hasn't changed his place. There has been no gunfire."
Bush creates Panel to Investigate Intelligence It is bi-partisan and they call it independent, but President Bush named those who will participate and instructed them to submit their report in March of 2005, well after the election.
Israel to Boycott Court Hearing on Wall Israel announced it has decided to boycott hearings of the International Court of Justice on the legality of its West Bank "security barrier".
4-Star US General Attacked in Fallujah The top-ranked U.S. general in the Middle East, Gen. John Abizaid, escaped unharmed. Gen. Swannack was also in the convoy. The attack consisted of rocket-propelled grenades and light arms fire from building roof tops.
UN Envoy warns of Civil War in Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi said elections before June 30 would be difficult, and warned Iraqis to be wary of the risks of civil war as they compete for power.
US Seals Saddam's Hole The U.S. Army has sealed the underground bunker where Saddam Hussein was found in an attempt to prevent it from becoming a tourist attraction.
US to Allow Red-Cross to visit Saddam No date is set.
Rebels launch major assault on Falluja police station Attackers freed dozens of prisoners and killed 22 policemen, going methodically from room to room throwing grenades. Two attackers were captured, and four were killed. US authorities initially claimed 2 of them held Lebanese passports, only to recant a few days later. Update: The "Lebanese" passport claim was subsequently dropped.
Red Cross says Israel's "security barrier" is illegal "The ICRC's opinion is that the West Bank Barrier, in as far as its route deviates from the 'Green Line' into occupied territory, is contrary to IHL (international humanitarian law)" from a statement released by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Ayatolla Sistani agrees to delay elections According to an aid, the Ayatolla agreed to an interim government so long as elections are held before Oct. 1 2004.
Israel purchases 102 F-16I fighter jets The first of the warplanes supplied by Lockheed Martin, at a cost of $4.5 billion, landed in Israel. This is Israel's largest military purchase ever. These jets were modified with external fuel tanks to increase their range by 25%. "It can reach the capitals of all the countries in the region." - air force officer.
Elections in Iran With some 2000 reformist candidates barred from running, many analysts and citizens expected a significant boycott. The last election had a 67% turnout, and this time reformers predicted a 40% turnout. Initial results show a conservative victory with a turnout of anywhere from 43 to 50 percent.
Red Cross visits Saddam in Custody Delegates of the international Red Cross visits "to track and monitor the conditions of detention and treatment of the detainee." They also give the detainee the opportunity to send a letter to his family, which Saddam did.
Bremer warns elections could take 15 months Paul Bremer said the absence of election laws, voters lists and reliable census data were obstacles to a quick election. Ayatolla Sistani wants an UN resolution to guarantee an election by Oct 1 2004.
Pakistan denies Bin Laden is cornered A British tabloid paper circulated rumors that Osama Bin Laden was "boxed in" near Quetta Pakistan, quoting an anonymous US official. Pakistan denies any knowledge of such information, but has confirmed they are planning a major offensive against Al-Qaeda (in that region I might add) in the next few weeks.
Peres declares occupation immoral Always the shrewd politician, former Israeli PM Shimon Peres said that Israel has no moral claim to the West Bank or Gaza and must give up every inch of the territories. "If you keep 10 percent of the land you keep 100 percent of the conflict," he said. Only a couple years ago Peres was a prominent part of the Sharon coalition government which re-colonized these same lands and all but destroyed the Palestinian Authority.
Al Qaeda issues more threats Tapes attributed to Ayman al-Zawahiri have warned that more attacks are coming. He also criticized France's law aimed at banning religious symbols, including Islamic head scarves, from public schools.
Pentagon silences Guantanamo lawyers A gag order has been placed on lawyers defending Guantanamo prisoners to prevent them from talking to reporters, and claims "space considerations" is the reason human rights observers have been barred from the trials.
6.5 earthquake kills hundreds in Morocco A powerful earthquake devastated an isolated region of northern Morocco, killing more than 560 people as they slept. Hundreds more were injured.
U.N. says Iran did not declare some nuclear activities Qualifying the statement by mentioning that they have been receiving good cooperation, especially in regards to site access, an IAEA dossier says inspectors found traces of Polonium-210, which was not declared. This isotope can be used to initiate a nuclear chain reaction, but it can also be used in electricity generation. Last month inspectors found an advanced P-2 centrifuge that could be used to enrich uranium. Enriched uranium can be used as fuel for a power plant as well as a nuclear weapon.
