RUTHFULLY YOURS

Obama Hails Security Council Syria Resolution That Rejects His Many Demands

On September 27, 2013 the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Syria. President Obama hailed the agreement as “a major diplomatic breakthrough.” Here’s what he didn’t tell the American people.

• The resolution does not blame Syria for the August chemical weapons attack – ignoring the repeated impassioned pleas of the President and Secretary Kerry on this very subject. On the contrary, the resolution suggests chemical weapons use is equally a problem of the government and the opposition – referring to “any use of chemical weapons by anyone in the Syrian Arab Republic.”

• The resolution does not sanction the use of force for any Syrian non-compliance. On the contrary, any proposed use of force in the future requires a return to the UN Security Council – meaning Obama and any erstwhile allies have tied their hands to Russian-approved enforcement in the future.

• The deal seriously undercuts the Syrian opposition, by stating that the “only solution to the current crisis” is an “inclusive Syrian-led process” and referring to an international conference which is “fully representative of the Syrian people” – that is, inclusive of the regime of President Assad.

• Contrary to President Obama’s previous insistence that “Assad must go,” the resolution ensures that Assad will stay. It depends on Assad to implement it. In its words “…recognizing the primary responsibility of Syrian government to…”

• The deal uses the catchword of “accountability” for the chemical attack while providing no means of getting there. Suggestions to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court were rejected by Russia.

Nigeria Extremists Slaughter College Students Pursuing “Western” Education

“Islamic extremists attacked an agricultural college in the dead of night, gunning down dozens of students as they slept in dormitories and torching classrooms in an ongoing Islamic uprising in northeast Nigeria, the school’s provost said… Molima Idi Mato, provost of the Yobe State College of Agriculture told The Associated Press that as many as 50 students may have been killed in the attack that began at about 1 a.m….Northeastern Nigeria is in a military state of emergency against an Islamic uprising prosecuted by Boko Haram militants who have killed more than 1,700 people since 2010 in their quest for an Islamic state. Boko Haram means Western education is forbidden.”

USA Fails to Get UN Human Rights Council to Name Syria as Guilty of Chemical Weapons Attack

Despite the fact that President Obama continues to champion the UN “Human Rights” Council, on the final day of its recent session, administration diplomats failed to get agreement on blaming Syria for August’s chemical weapons attack. On Friday, September 27, 2013, the Council adopted a resolution on Syria that omitted any finding that Assad was responsible for the attack which left 1,400 civilians dead. A single Palestinian civilian wouldn’t have been a problem.

Obama Channels Chamberlain on Iran

On September 27, 2013 the President of the United States delivered an historic statement – one that mirrors Chamberlain’s proclamation of ‘peace in our time.’ Obama’s statement came after speaking by phone with Iranian President Rouhani, the highest level of U.S.-Iranian contact in 34 years. Before making this major concession, the President asked for and received nothing in return. On the contrary, Iran is still the leading state sponsor of terrorism according to the State Department. Here is Obama’s statement in its entirety. Note, that instead of referring to “Iran,” there are two repetitions of “Islamic Republic of Iran.” There is a reference to American-Iranian mutual “mistrust” – as if their reasons for mistrust are equivalent to ours. There is reliance on the empty assurances of Iranian leaders that they are not building a nuclear weapon – notwithstanding the IAEA report of only a few weeks ago that suggests otherwise. And notwithstanding Rouhani’s own admission that he is a pro in spinning out nuclear negotiations while the centrifuges are spinning too. As for Israel saving us from ourselves? The President and Rouhani have succeeded in creating a façade of diplomatic opportunity, making an Israeli strike impossible for the foreseeable future.

President Obama: “Just now I spoke on the phone with President Rouhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The two of us discussed our ongoing efforts to reach an agreement over Iran’s nuclear program. I reiterated to president rouhani what I said in NY. While there will surely be important obstacles to moving forward and success if by no means guaranteed, I believe we can reach a comprehensive solution. I’ve directed Secretary Kerry to continue pursuing a/the diplomatic effort with the Iranian government. We had constructive discussions yesterday in New York with our partners, the European Union, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China, together with the Iranian foreign minister. Going forward, President Rouhani and I have directed our teams to continue working expeditiously in cooperation with the P-5 plus one to pursue an agreement. Throughout this process we’ll stay in close touch with our friends and allies in the region, including Israel. Now we’re mindful of all the challenges ahead. The very fact that this was the first communication between an American and Iranian president since 1979 underscores the deep mistrust between our countries but it also indicates the prospect of moving beyond that difficult history. I do believe that there is a basis for a resolution . Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons. President Rouhani has indicated that Iran will never develop nuclear weapons. I have made clear that we respect the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy in the context of Iran meeting its obligations. So the test will be meaningful, transparent and verifiable actions which can also bring relief from the comprehensive international sanctions that are currently in place. Resolving this issue could also serve as a major step forward in the relationship between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran based on mutual interest and mutual respect. It would also help facilitate a better relationship between Iran and the international community as well as others in the region, one that would help the Iranian people fulfill their extraordinary potential, but also help us address other concerns that would bring greater peace and stability to the Middle East. A path to a meaningful agreement will be difficult and at this point both sides have significant concerns that will have to be overcome. But I believe we’ve got a responsibility to pursue diplomacy and that we have a unique opportunity to make progress with the new leadership in Tehran. I also communicated to President Rouhani my deep respect for the Iranian people.”

President Obama Ignores Harsh IAEA Report on Iran

President Obama’s diplomatic charm offensive with Iran, ignores a recent UN report that was produced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It makes one thing very clear. President Obama’s move to buy Iran more time is completely unjustified. It undermines existing UN resolutions and negates efforts to hold Iran to account without the use of force. This is what the IAEA report said in part:

• “Contrary to the relevant resolutions of…the Security Council, Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities…”

• “Iran has not provided a substantive response to Agency requests for…information in relation to announcements made by Iran concerning the construction of ten new uranium enrichment facilities ….As a result of Iran’s lack of cooperation…the Agency is unable to verify and report fully….

• “Although Iran is obliged to suspend all enrichment related activities and heavy water related projects, it is conducting a number of activities…which are in contravention of those obligations…

• “Previous reports by the Director General have identified outstanding issues related to possible military dimension to Iran’s nuclear programme and actions required of Iran to resolve these. Since 2002, the Agency has become increasingly concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear related activities involving military related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile…

• The Annex to the Director General’s November 2011 report provided a detailed analysis of the information available to the Agency, indicating that Iran has carried out activities that are relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive devise. This information is assessed by the Agency to be, overall, credible. Since November 2011, the Agency has obtained more information which further corroborates the analysis contained in that Annex.

• As stated…Iran constructed a large explosives containment vessel in which to conduct hydrodynamic experiments; such experiments would be strong indicators of possible nuclear weapon development.

• …the extensive activities that Iran has undertaken at….the Parchin site have seriously undermined the Agency’s ability to conduct effective verification.

• Contrary to its Safeguards Agreement and relevant resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council, Iran is not implementing the provisions of the modified Code…This reduces the level of confidence in the absence of other nuclear facilities … and prevents the Agency from implementing an effective safeguards approach. …”

• Contrary to the relevant resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council, Iran is not implementing its Additional Protocol. The Agency will not be in a position to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran unless and until Iran provides the necessary cooperation with the Agency.

Summary

• “… Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation, including by not implementing its Additional Protocol, the Agency is unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities….

• …Contrary to the Board of Governors’ resolutions of November 2011 and September 2012 and despite the intensified dialogue between the Agency and Iran since January 2012 in ten rounds of talks, it has not been possible to reach agreement…

• …The extensive and significant activities which have taken place at the location within the Parchin site to which the Agency has repeatedly requested access have seriously undermined the Agency’s ability to undertake effective verification.

Iran Launches Offensive Against IAEA

Iran has gone on the offensive against the United Nations nuclear agency, the IAEA, and published a 20-page document that essentially dismisses all findings on its nuclear activities as “baseless allegations.” This written assault is circulating at the same time Iran is telling the gullible in New York that it wants to “jump-start” talks with the six world powers and find a diplomatic solution to the dispute over its nuclear program. Here’s what’s clear. Nuke-wannabe-Iran rejects all IAEA findings as “unprofessional, unfair, illegal, and politicized.” Here are some of Iran’s attacks on the IAEA:

• Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities have unlawfully been put on the agenda of the UN Security Council and the Council has taken a wrong approach by adopting its politically-motivated, illegal and unacceptable resolutions against Iran. Therefore, any request by the Agency stemming from those resolutions is not legitimate and not acceptable.

• …The IAEA …should…refrain from taking instructions from anonymous States and sources with vested interests or allow unauthorized parties to interfere with its mandates.

• …the [IAEA] report…contains a lot of confidential technical details that should have not been published. The Director General, by including detailed information in its reports such as the number of installed and/or operating centrifuges, amount of nuclear material fed and/or produced, etc., has demonstrated his inability to fulfill his commitments on confidentiality measures.

• The [IAEA] Director General has relied on some forged, fabricated and false information provided by western intelligence services and known sources hostile to Iran, assessed as “overall credible” information, without any authenticity verification, while independent observers have • revealed part of the false information used by the Agency and criticized ironically its immature assessment on allegations against Iran.

• In the light of the above, the claims and baseless allegations against Islamic Republic of Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities as contained in the DG report (GOV/2013/40, dated 28 August 2013) are unprofessional, unfair, illegal and politicized.

And on it goes. Secretary Kerry has this litany of lies before him – as he meets with Iran’s foreign minister on Thursday. It is the highest level US-Iran meeting in three decades. It’s also called giving something for nothing.

Rouhani Did Not Acknowledge the Holocaust, Contrary to CNN’s Claims

Holocaust denial is a modern form of antisemitism. Given the leaders of Iran are pursuing the world’s most dangerous weapon, it matters who they intend to target. Antisemitism is a big clue.

Last week, in Tehran, Ann Curry of NBC News asked Iranian President Rouhani about whether he believed that the Holocaust was “a myth.” He responded : “I’m not a historian. I’m a politician.” Not complicated or difficult to understand – and a repeat of the lie of his predecessor, Ahmadinejad, who frequently denied the Holocaust by calling for more study.

But just in case Rouhani didn’t mean what he said, a gaggle of Western reporters repeated the question of the veracity of the Holocaust during his trip to the UN in New York. His answer, however, is now the subject of dispute.

CNN claims he said this:

“I’ve said before that I am not a historian and then, when it comes to speaking of the dimensions of the Holocaust, it is the historians that should reflect on it. But in general I can tell you that any crime that happens in history against humanity, including the crime that Nazis committed towards the Jews as well as non-Jews is reprehensible and condemnable. Whatever criminality they committed against the Jews, we condemn, the taking of human life is contemptible, it makes no difference whether that life is Jewish life, Christian or Muslim, for us it is the same, but taking the human life is something our religion rejects but this doesn’t mean that on the other hand you can say Nazis committed crime against a group now therefore, they must usurp the land of another group and occupy it. This too is an act that should be condemned. There should be an even-handed discussion”.

Many western media outlets – desperate to tow the Obama storyline that Rouhani is a moderate – have been spinning this response as an exciting ground-breaking admission by the Iranian president that there was a Holocaust.

But the Iranian news agency is challenging their interpretation. Here is what the FARS news agency says Rouhani actually said :

“I have said before that I am not a historian and historians should specify, state and explain the aspects of historical events, but generally we fully condemn any kind of crime committed against humanity throughout the history, including the crime committed by the Nazis both against the Jews and non-Jews, the same way that if today any crime is committed against any nation or any religion or any people or any belief, we condemn that crime and genocide. Therefore, what the Nazis did is condemned, but the aspects that you talk about, clarification of these aspects is a duty of the historians and researchers, I am not a history scholar.”

Two things are clear. One, the Holocaust was a crime committed against the Jewish people and the most evil event in human history. And two, the cream of Western media cannot perceive or comprehend Holocaust denial, or recognize antisemitism when it stares them in the face.

UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal has confirmed the FARS News Agency translation.

UN Inspectors Return to Syria, Though Mandate Continues to be Assign No Blame

The United Nations’ inspectors have returned to Syria to resume their chemical weapons investigation. The stated purpose of their second mission, according to UN officials, is to complete the first mission. The first mission was cut short when the inspectors faced the prospect of Assad turning them into human shields if Obama had conducted a military strike. That original mission was to gather facts about whether chemical weapons were used and keep studiously quiet about whodunit. Indeed, the inspectors’ first report confirms what everyone already knew – and Assad had admitted. There was such an attack. The absence of a named perpetrator in the report, however, gave the Syrians and the Russians deniability. Consequently, the Russians are continuing to refuse a Security Council resolution naming a Syrian villain. Round two is expected to repeat the he-said she-said performance. In the meantime, thousands more are dying by other hideous “conventional” means. But chemical weapons is all the rage, and other dead and dying have been relegated to a side-issue.

Rouhani Gives Obama Cover to Delay at UN – The Invisible Handshake

President Obama’s standing on the world stage took another nosedive Wednesday at the UN General Assembly. According to White House officials, the president of the world’s leading democracy was prepared to shake hands with the president of the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism – and the terrorist turned the democrat down. Even this snub could not dampen President Obama’s determination to anoint Iranian President Rouhani as a “moderate” and move full steam ahead with a delay strategy that will make an Iranian nuke inevitable. The light on the horizon, cheered the President, was coming from none other than Iran’s Supreme Leader and President Rouhani. Both have said “that the Islamic republic will never develop a nuclear weapon.” In Obama’s view, “These statements…should offer the basis for a meaningful agreement…giving the world confidence that the Iranian program is peaceful.” Except that its program isn’t peaceful. And these statements offer the basis for a one-way trip down the yellowbrick road to an Iranian nuclear bomb.

Palestinian Honor Killing on the Rise

“Twenty-five Palestinian women have been killed so far this year in so-called honor crimes, the Palestinian Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling says. The latest victim, Thamar Zeidan, was found strangled on Saturday in the Tulkarem village of Deir al-Ghosoun…” Her father has apparently confessed and blamed pressure from Hamas. Her crime? Getting a divorce four years after being forcibly married at the age of 15.

Iran Thanks UN for Another Israel-bashing Report

Iran and the UN human rights establishment joined forces again on September 23, 2013 in Geneva at the UN “Human Fights” Council. Iran profusely thanked the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights “with appreciation” for one more Israel-bashing report. Iran was speaking on behalf of 120 UN member states that are members of the Non-Aligned Movement. In the statement, the leading state sponsor of terrorism lectured Israel about “moral responsibilities.” The Orwellian UN “human rights” world.

Christians Targeted in Pakistan as Church Bombing Kills 75

“A suicide bomb attack on a church killed at least 75 people as parishioners left the building Sunday, officials said, in what is the biggest attack on Pakistan’s Christian community in many years. Women and children were among the victims of the attack, which took place as a morning service was drawing to a close. The rapidly-rising death toll reached at least 75 within hours of the blast, Peshawar’s police commissioner, Sahibzada Anees, told NBC News. ‘A suicide bomber blew himself after entering in to the church hall,’ deputy police commissioner Zahir ul Islam told NBC News. ‘There were between 500 to 600 people present in the church’ at the time of attack, he added.”