The Angry Arab News Service/وكالة أنباء العربي الغاضب

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Wikileaks in Arabic

I and volunteers have launched a project to translate and publish all the Wikileaks relating to the Arab world. We are on Facebook now and will soon be on the web. Stay tuned.

""I think the Arab public today woke up wiser than before, more cynical than before, and certainly more critical of the government," said As'ad Abu Khalil, a professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus who runs the "Angry Arab News Service" blog. "You see all these governments competing, trying to bring up the issue of Iranian nuclear weapons. Not a single Arab leader in those discussions brought up the issue of the massive Israeli WMD program that has been going on for decades.""

Studio House of Saud

On the TV program, House of Saud (hosted by the most obnoxious Lebanese, Gizelle Khuri), they made a reference to Wikileaks. The only reference they made was that Iran used an aid agency to sneak aid to Hizbullah. That was the only Wikileak reference of the week, they said. I kid you not. It was on Al-Arabiyyah TV (the station of King Fahd's brother-in-law).

IAEA chief in US court

"The leaked October 2009 cable was quoted on Wednesday by the Guardian of London, one of a handful of media organizations that received in advance a trove of more than 250,000 classified US State Department documents currently being released by WikiLeaks. The cable reportedly stated: “Amano reminded [the] ambassador on several occasions that he would need to make concessions to the G-77 [the developing countries group], which correctly required him to be fair-minded and independent, but that he was solidly in the US court on every key strategic decision, from high-level personnel appointments to the handling of Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program.”"

Ian Black calls me Splenetic

"The splenetic Asa'd Abu Khalil, who writes the Angry Arab blog, noted that many Arabs on Twitter and Facebook have been raising questions about WikiLeaks because the revelations about the Middle East were largely either known or expected. "Some are noticing that nothing damaging to Israel – even diplomatically – has been released. Some are suggesting that the US government is behind WikiLeaks. Personally, I discount those conspiracy theories although conspiracy theories can be helpful." But then he asks: "Is it possible that the intelligence officer who released them protected Israel by holding off on some documents?""

This is Zionism

""After almost half a century of Israeli occupation its Palestinian population has shrunk from over 200,000 to fewer than 60,000. ... A fortnight ago 15 young Israelis in T-shirts came down from Maskiyot, a hilltop settlement, took possession of a Bedouin tent, put up a fence to keep out the family and its goats, and sang Hebrew chants. An Israeli army jeep idled by, briefly surveyed the rumpus, and drove on. The local Palestinian governor, whose headquarters is in the Arab town of Tubas, paid a call, before also hurrying away. “From experience, we’ve learnt that, if we protest, the settlers will resort to violence and demand that the state confiscate the land to protect them,” explains a Palestinian activist who advises the Bedouin. On a nearby wall, someone had daubed in Hebrew: “Bless God for not making me a gentile.”"" (thanks Khelil)

US spy planes over Lebanon (it is getting real crowded in Lebanese skies)

"American officials swept aside British protests about secret US spy flights taking place from the UK's Cyprus airbase, the leaked diplomatic cables reveal. Labour ministers said they feared making the UK an unwitting accomplice to torture, and were upset about rendition flights going on behind their backs. The use of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus for American U2 spy plane missions over Hezbollah locations in Lebanon – missions that have never been disclosed until now – prompted an acrimonious series of exchanges between British officials and the US embassy in London, according to the cables released by WikiLeaks." (thanks Hassan)

Thierry Meyssan

Thierry Meyssan is a crackpot. His Sep. 11 book is dumb and kooky. His theory of Hariri assassination is unreliable and lacks credibility. (For those who asked me for my opinion)

Lebanese police men kills an unarmed Syrian worker

More of the criminal acts by the Lebanese state. They shot an unarmed Syrian worker in Hamra. (thanks Tarek)

Gulf governments and Israel

"Contrary to the condemnatory rhetoric opposing Israel in public, Arab diplomats behind the scenes have asked Israel to carry messages to the U.S. government and urged tougher action on Iran."

Sanyruah adopts US diplomatic langauge

He calls Israeli actions "unhelpful". (thanks "Ibn Rushd")

Voters prevented from entering the polling place

Mubarak regime decides who can vote. (thanks Hadjar)

Zionist Kouchner on Abbas

"The cable says Kouchner told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that "Abbas is lost. You tried, we tried but nothing has happened." "Kouchner said that he had met with Abu Mazen three days prior and found him completely isolated," the cable, which divulges the minutes of Clinton and Kouchner's meeting, says.""

Arab Media and Wikileaks

"Assad Abukhalil, professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus, who has appeared numerous times on Al Jazeera, strongly criticized the network on the radio show Democracy Now. During the interview, he said: “I think the extent to which the Saudi government—and all Arab governments in the Gulf—are embarrassed by these leaks is evidenced by the clampdown that is being exhibited throughout the Saudi-controlled Arab media. And even the so-called 'independent' Al Jazeera— which, contrary to its reputation here in the West, is the most serious news organization—is also trying to cover up the embarrassing revelations about the way Arab governments operate vis-à-vis the United States.” " (thanks Nidal)

At State Department briefing, reporters accuse ass’t sec’y of ’speaking for Israel’

"Another sign that the wheels are coming off the cart. Years ago we learned that the U.S. acted as Israel's lawyer in the peace process. Well, this is a press conference by P.J. Crowley, ass't sec'y of State, two days ago, and a couple of reporters (unnamed) seem to gang up on him over the fact that the State Department is speaking for Israel and strongly condemning the Palestinians over one Palestinian "mouthing off", but when Israel Judaizes East Jerusalem, the supposed capital of the Palestinian state, the U.S. doesn't say a word. The interchange begins when Crowley "strongly condemns" the (yes, repellent) comments by a P.A. official saying that Jews have no historic connection to the Temple Mount area of the Old City. Notice that the interchange goes on to Hebron, whose old market area has been ethnically cleansed to allow Jewish colonists to live there, and strong doubts in the press corps about a "viable" Palestinian state. The briefing:" (thanks Olivia)

UN Representative in Lebanon is worried that Israel may be too lenient

"Williams and his UNSCOL colleagues assessed that Israel handled carefully the release of crew and passengers aboard the MV Tali, the "Brotherhood" ship that attempted to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian goods to Gaza February 5. However, they worried that the Israeli government would not be as "lenient" in the future should similar incidents occur, based on the statements of their Israeli interlocutors. Williams feared continued such incidents could spark provocation in Lebanon. He also noted Israel's message to the GOL that Israel would take retaliatory measures in Lebanon if Hizballah took any action, anywhere in the world to commemorate the death of Imad Mughniyeh. " (thanks Norman)

Mauritanian-Israeli relations

Notice how Israel and US realize that democracy and public opinion is the worst factor.

Anti-democracy coup plotters request Israeli arms in Mauritania

Israel: the best friend of Arab tyrannies. (thanks Amer)

Qatar promotes normalization with Israel to host the World Cup

Watch the video and see the Israeli kid. (thanks Farah)

Israel wants Arabs to support Abbas

""When questioned what Israel would most like to see from Morocco, Shlein-Michael immediately responded that the GOI wants the GOM to support the Palestinian Authority (PA). Morocco "does less than anyone," she complained, commenting that smaller states like the UAE and Oman were far more visible in lending support to Abbas. We want Abbas to succeed, Shlein-Michael continued, and we want Arab governments to visit him in the West Bank, publicly declare their support for him, and show the Palestinians that he has international legitimacy and influence." (thanks Redouane)

Elias Murr

There should be one political priority in Lebanon: the call for the resignation and trial of Al-Murr: who seems to give advice to Israel on how to beat Hizbullah and win support from the Lebanese population. This corrupt politician was first appointed to office by Syrian intelligence and seems to have stayed in office with the support of other services. Today, he said that his words were "partial". I am sure. He said worst things that were redacted.

Wikileaks and the English language press in Lebanon

It is not that the English language media are ignoring Wikileaks but in some cases they are just making things up. In Daily Star, they don't exist. In Naharnet, they refer to a French refusal to freeze the work of the Hariri tribunal when in fact in one document Chirac's adviser brings up the issue with US officials. So they lie--but that is typical of Nahar media. In NowHariri, they have a writer from the Foundation for the Defense of Likud in Israel state that the only scandal in the Wikileaks is that the US ignored advice from its Arab polygamous allies that Syria should be ignored and that the Palestinian issue should be disregarded.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

FLASH: THE COLLECTION OF of Al-Akhbar's Wikileaks

All can be found here.

Fu'ad Sanyurah takes orders

"He also took a call from Prince Mukrin bin Abdel al Aziz, Director of Saudi General Intelligence."

Jumblat's alternative to Hizbullah

"Jumblatt criticized Saad's efforts to "import" Sunnis from the north, suggesting instead that Saad should speak with independent Shia leaders such as MP Yassine Jaber, Loukman Slim, and (former Minister of Energy and former Amal member) Mohamad Youssef Beydoun to build better Sunni-Shia relations. Naseer al-Assad was also a useful interlocutor." If you know anything about Lebanon, you would know why this is so comical.

Al-Akhbar's Wikileaks will basically multiply

...the tensions and conflicts in Lebanon by ten, at least.

Jumblat on Mughniyyah

"Laughing off (unsubstantiated) rumors of Druse involvement in the Mougnieh assassination, Jumblatt said, if we have the ability to get Mougnieh, why not Bashar Asad himself?"

Lebanon's Minister of Defense on Defending Lebanon

"Murr also gave guidance to Sleiman that the LAF should not get involved "when Israel comes.""

Elias Murr gives Israel Advice

"Two, Israel cannot bomb bridges and infrastructure in the Christian areas. The Christians were supporting Israel in 2006 until they started bombing their bridges. If Israel has to bomb all of these places in the Shia areas as a matter of operational concern, that is Hizballah's problem. According to Murr, this war is not with Lebanon, it is will Hizballah."

This is Lebanon's Minister of Defense

"Murr offered some ideas aimed at avoiding turning the Christian population against Israel when the next war with Hizballah occurs. Murr also outlined his orders to the
Lebanese Army when/if Israel invades to counter Hizballah. End summary."

The Lebanese government inside the refugee camps

"Since the United Nations will not go into the camps, Murr feels that the Government of Lebanon is obliged to continue stoking inter-Palestinian conflicts to keep all
of the various groups on unsure footing. Citing UNSCR 1701 as an authorizing document for taking action inside the Palestinian camps, Murr plans on sending in his SF units into capture terrorists in the camps."

The purpose of the Lebanese Army is not to defend the borders

Buffoon Elias Murr (I call him Field Marshal Lillu Murr, in my articles in Al-Akhbar) explains: "The primary purpose of this transformed army would be to address terrorist threats inside Lebanon."

Elias Murr explains

"According to Murr, "when you want to fight terrorists,you are fighting Sunni and Shia; you need Christians in special forces to do this mission. If you maximize
Christians, you will have the best results.""

If Lebanon

If Lebanon is a democracy, and if Lebanon is not sectarian, half of the political class would resign on the basis of the release of the Wikileaks documents in Al-Akhbar. Most embarrassed are Sulayman, Jean Qahwaji, Elias Murr, Marwan Hamadi, among many others.

The conspiracy thickens

The story of how May 7 was shaped. The role of Marwan Hamadi is described. Mini-Hariri flew a private jet to provide Saudi King and Prince Muqrin with maps of Hizbullah fiber optics lines. Lebanese politics will be different after today. It wont be in favor of US/Saudi Arabia and their allies. That is for sure.

Bitar: more revelations of the clueless US mission in Lebanon

The US is so clueless that is funny. They report here about this "prominent Shi`ite" when in reality he is nobody. He claims that he meets with Nasrallah which is not true. Update: this guy later left Ahmad Al-As`ad movement.

Flash: Al-Akhbar releases a batch of Wikileaks documents not released before

They are explosive. They will change the nature of domestic Lebanese politics, and certainly not in favor of March 14. There is so much damage to the Hariri tribunal as Bellmare is seen taking marching orders and sharing minute details with the US. There is a lot of damage to the Commander-in-chief of Lebanese Army and president of Michel Sulayman because they seem to only discuss "terrorist" threats with US military officials and never bring up the treat from Israel. Here, there is an explosive document: it relates to Ahmad Al-As`ad (son of former speaker of parliament and who was supported by US and Saudi Arabia in the last election and he managed to receive less than 2% of Shi`ite votes in South Lebanon) and his discussion with US officials. Apparently, the US was being urged by Lebanese officials to strike and alliance with Subhi Tufayli (secretary-general of Hizbullah during its most horrific phase).

Lousy Stephen Solarz

"In an interview, Robert Dallek, the presidential historian, praised Mr. Solarz’s commitment to building democracy in places like the Philippines, South Korea, Lebanon and Taiwan." Are you kidding me? This about Stephen Solarz? This fanatical Zionist? This obituary is so full of lies and fantasies that it is comical. He ended Genocide in Cambodia? How and where and when? Built democracy in Lebanon? You know what they are talking about here? That he was a staunch and fierce supporter of Bashir Gemayyel and Amin Gemayyel. That in Zionist lexicon is supporting democracy in Lebanon.

Bush pushed for democracy in the Middle East? Where? Was I sleeping?

"and his aggressive democracy-promoting agenda are history". What? Are you kidding me? Where did he push for democracy? Saudi Arabia? Morocco? Egypt? UAE? Bahrain? Oman? Jordan? Is this a joke of the day in the New York Times?

Elections in Egypt

I am sure that the last election is Iran rigged or was characterized with corruption and political interference. But does anyone doubt that the last Sunday election in Egypt was the most corrupt and most farcical in the history of "elections" in the Middle East? Yet, compare the coverage. And imagine if this charade in Egypt took place in a country that is on bad terms with the US.

Advice to Angry Arab

After my appearance on Aljazeera yesterday, I have been receiving advice to not stop foot in any Arab country for a while. Not even Hummusstan?

Why the Wikileaks have not embarrassed Israel (at least yet)

This from the New York Times: "and some of those The Times has posted have been redacted to address security concerns." Let me guess: any critical or negative or embarrassing reference to Israel has been "redacted to address security concerns."

Assassination if nuclear scientists in Iran

You read the New York Times this morning. US and Israeli officials quite pleased with the assassination. Of course, neither claimed responsibility but gave justifications. Does that mean that it is possible to provide similar justification for the assassination of Hariri by those who saw grave dangers in his secret back dealings and conspiracies? Or are assassinations are bad only when they target friends and tools of Israel and US? We need to understand the rules here. Of course, we know that US favor assassination of ALL Palestinians (with the exception of those on US and or Israeli payroll).

Emir of Qatar in Wikileaks

"Israelis can't be blamed for mistrusting Arabs, according to remarks by the ruler of the Arab state of Qatar released by the WikiLeaks group in the latest of a string of surprising revelations.
Qatar's Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, made the comments in a meeting with U.S. Senator John Kerry on February 23. A report of their discussions, obtained by the WikiLeaks group, was filed by America's Ambassador to Qatar Joseph LeBaron."

PS It is interesting that Israeli propaganda (known as "free media") only focused on this one document and avoid other documents dealing with other Gulf leaders. Reasons are too obvious.