America
tore out 8000 pages of Iraq dossier
Sunday Herald, December 22, 2002
THE United States edited out more than 8000 crucial pages of Iraq's 11,800-page
dossier on weapons, before passing on a sanitised version to the 10 non-permanent
members of the United Nations security council.
Revised
`road map' tough with Palestinians
Ha'artez, December 22, 2002
The revised version of the peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians, presented
on Friday to the Quartet of Middle East mediators - the United Nations, Russia,
the European Union and the United States - is more stringent with the Palestinians
than the previous versions, and reflects serious controversy between the U.S.
and its partners.
IDF
quickens pace in its preparations for U.S. war in Iraq
Ha'artez, December 22, 2002
Window' of possible dates opens at end of Jan. -- Israel Defense Forces
units and security officials are stepping up exercises and war games, in preparation
for the expected American attack on Iraq.
Rabbis
encourage stealing of Palestinian olives
Alternative Information Center, December 22, 2002
Four rabbis from the Nablus area published an article in which they praise
Jews who stole olives from Palestinians. The four praise the illegal olive
harvest done by Jews in Palestinian groves.
26%
of Israeli children live in poverty, says new report
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
The report..found an increasing gap between Jewish and Arab children in health,
education, family income, and quality of life. -- Twenty-six percent of Israeli
children and teenagers live under the poverty line, including 54% of non-Jewish
youth, according to the National Council for the Child's 2001 annual report.
Jane
Fonda Embarks on Solidarity Tour to Palestine
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
RAMALLAH - Hollywood star Jane Fonda spent Saturday visiting the West Bank
City of Ramallah, where she toured a rehabilitation center and met with a
bereaved Palestinian family at a refugee camp, before returning to her home
in the US.
Embittered
Bethlehem Prepares for Bleakest Christmas
Islam Online, December 22, 2002
OCCUPIED BETHLEHEM, December 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - On the
wet morning of Sunday, December 22, Saint Catherine's church is filled with
worshippers, but exiting the edifice they confessed this Christmas will be
the "bleakest" of their lives.
Israelis
Protest Settlement Expansion, Army Destroys More Houses
Islam Online, December 22, 2002
Israel claims that the policy of destroying Palestinian houses has "helped
deter some attacks" -- OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, December 22 (IslamOnline &
News Agencies) - Around 200 Israeli activists from the Peace Now movement
demonstrated Sunday in the southern West Bank city of Al-Khalil ( Hebron )
against plans to extend Jewish settlements in the overwhelmingly Palestinian
city.
Fatah:
We will start amputating arms and legs of criminals
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
Fatah activists in Hebron are threatening to amputate the arms and legs of
any Palestinian involved in crime, especially thefts and burglaries.
Arafat's
challenger criticizes PA silence on Ginossar corruption scandal
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
A Palestinian academic, who intends to challenge Palestinian
Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in the next PA election, called
Saturday for an inquiry into allegations that top officials
siphoned PA funds into a secret Swiss bank account.
Palestinians
Postpone January Elections
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - The Palestinian Cabinet on Sunday postponed elections
set for next month, blaming the continuing Israeli military occupation of
West Bank towns.
JAG
and IDF brass clash over shooting
Ha'artez, December 22, 2002
A sharp dispute has come to light pitting the Judge Advocate General (JAG)
against senior Israel Defense Forces officers serving in field commands, following
a JAG decision to try a paratroop officer for illegal use of his weapon in
the territories.
Labor,
Meretz aides meet PA in London
Ha'artez, December 22, 2002
Labor and Meretz representatives, including the personal adviser of Labor
chair Amram Mitzna, met last week in London with representatives of the Palestinian
Authority.
Microsoft
Denies Helping Israel
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
RIYADH - Microsoft Corp. strongly denied that it has designed and manufactured
a special program for Israel to enable it to spy on Arab Internet websites,
the multinational’s Riyadh office said yesterday.
Fonda
Visits Bereaved Palestinian Family, Illegal Israeli Settlements
Palestine Media Center, December 22, 2002
Hollywood star Jane Fonda spent Saturday visiting the West Bank City of Ramallah,
where she toured a rehabilitation center and met with a bereaved Palestinian
family at a refugee camp, before returning to her home in the US.
Settlement
of Hebron a ‘Disaster’: Israeli Peace Now Activists
Palestine Media Center, December 22, 2002
Around 200 Israeli activists from the Peace Now movement demonstrated Sunday
in the southern West Bank city of Hebron in protest of plans to extend illegal
Jewish settlements in the overwhelmingly Palestinian city.
Israeli
high court: army violated international law
Alternative Information Center, December 22, 2002
The Israeli High Court directed heavy criticism at the army: thousands of
Palestinians detained during ‘operation defensive shield’ were
held under harsh conditions.
Palestinian
general elections postponed
Al-Bawaba, December 22, 2002
A Palestinian general election scheduled for January has been postponed indefinitely
because of Israel's reoccupation of West Bank cities, a Palestinian cabinet
minister said on Sunday.
Balad:
attorney general attempts to disqualify Balad are politically motivated
Alternative Information Center, December 22, 2002
On 19 December 2002, Israel’s Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein submitted
an unprecedented motion to the Central Elections Committee (CEC) recommending
the disqualification of the National Democratic Assembly (NDA) party, headed
by MK Dr. Azmi Bishara, from running in the 28 January 2003 elections. The
Attorney General’s submission relies solely on false reports and anonymous
testimonies by individuals claiming to be General Security Service (GSS) agents.
Military
Source: Israeli army ordered to get ready for US-led war in Iraq
Al-Bawaba, December 22, 2002
Israel has intensified its preparations for a US-led war against Baghdad in
January or February, according to a military source Sunday. Israeli forces,
including its air force have received orders to prepare themselves by mid-January,
under the hypothesis of hostilities starting by late February at the latest,
Israeli public radio reported.
Israeli
officials disappointed with latest Quartet road map draft
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
A copy of the road map the Quartet - US, UN, EU and Russia - has drafted reached
Jerusalem on Thursday, with Israeli diplomatic officials saying this draft,
the third in three months is "less good" than the other two.
Israeli-Palestinian
dialogue in fashion again
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
Following months of drought in Palestinian-Israeli dialogue, non-political,
"people-to-people" round-table discussions between the two sides are again
in vogue. Ron Pundak, director of the Peres Center for Peace, said Sunday
three such dialogues took place in Europe last week.
Insurance
companies say PA should pay for Palestinian car theft
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
The Jerusalem District Court has issued a temporary lien on revenues Israel
owes the Palestinian Authority while it addresses a compensation claim by
two insurance companies for money they lost as a result of cars stolen by
Palestinians.
Analysis:
Full back-up from Bush
Ha'artez, December 22, 2002
After a week in which the Likud has been losing continually more support over
the police investigation of alleged corruption in the party, Ariel Sharon
can take comfort in the support he is getting from Washington.
Israel
Consider Placing Strategic Assets In Sea
Middle East Newsline, December 22, 2002
TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Israel is quietly reviewing proposals to deploy strategic
military assets in the sea to protect them against an Arab or Iranian missile
strike or a Palestinian insurgency attack.
Israel
Kills 11-year old Palestinian Girl, Hails U.S. Unwavering Support
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - Israel on Saturday, December 21 hailed its U.S. ally
for blocking an international peace plan for the Middle East, as an 11-year-old
Palestinian girl was shot and killed walking home from school in the Gaza
Strip.
British
Foreign Minister Abandons Press Conference with Israel’s Netanyahu
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
LONDON - Britain’s Foreign Office refused to comment Saturday on a reported
bust-up between Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin
Netanyahu during talks between the pair in London.
Palestinian
Leadership Forced to Postpone Elections
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
RAMALLAH - Citing the Israeli occupation and curfews, the Palestinian leadership
Sunday, December 22, postponed January's presidential and legislative elections
until after the Israeli army withdraws from reoccupied self-rule areas.
Aid
groups warn of disaster in Iraq
The Observer, December 22, 2002
International aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in the
event of a war in Iraq, which could leave millions without food or shelter.
Report:
40,000 British troops to participate in Basra occupation; Inspectors search
at five sites
Al-Bawaba, December 22, 2002
U.N. weapons inspectors set out Sunday morning for searches at five sites,
according to Iraqi officials. One was identified as a space research center.
Another, al-Kindi Co., was identified in the final report of U.N. weapons
inspectors who worked in Iraq in the 1990s as having had a role in Iraq's
biological weapons programs.
Not
All Iraq Claims Backed by Evidence
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - Today's claims about Iraq could become tomorrow's call to
arms. But not all the statements coming from the Bush administration have
been supported by evidence, and some that haven't are central to the question
of whether Americans should go to war.
17
British firms 'helped Baghdad's arms plan'
The Straits Times, ], 20 December 2002
LONDON - Iraq's declaration to the United Nations names 17 British firms that
it says helped its weapons programme, a German newspaper reported yesterday.
US
Army stages biggest desert drill since Gulf War
Arab News, December 22, 2002
SOUTH OF KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER, 22 December 2002 — The US Army launched
its biggest maneuver in the Kuwaiti desert since the Gulf War yesterday, throwing
thousands of soldiers and hundreds of armored vehicles into live-fire exercises
to sharpen their skills ahead of a possible new war with Iraq.
America
yields to Blix over Iraq weapons
Arab News, December 22, 2002
NEW YORK, 22 December 2002 — Hans Blix, the United Nations’ chief
weapons inspector, was preparing this weekend to begin a new, more invasive
phase in the hunt for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, making use of intelligence
from Washington and London, and new military hardware ranging from helicopters
to flying drones.
Saudis
Urge US to Refrain from Solo War
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD - The United States should refrain from attacking Iraq
alone, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said yesterday. “I cannot
imagine a war waged on Iraq on a bilateral fashion, that the United States
goes alone,” Prince Saud said in an interview with CNN.
American
spies yield to Blix over weapons
The Independent, December 22, 2002
Hans Blix, the United Nations' chief weapons inspector, was preparing this
weekend to begin a new, more invasive phase in the hunt for Iraqi weapons
of mass destruction, making use of intelligence from Washington and London,
and new military hardware ranging from helicopters to flying drones.
U.S.,
British Accusations Have No Evidence: Iraq
Islam Online, December 22, 2002
BAGHDAD, December 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - U.S. and British
lies about alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction have been uncovered after
24 days of arms inspections, a top advisor to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein
said Sunday, December 22, adding that Iraq welcomes Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) to come to Iraq if they were able to find the alleged weapons.
Pentagon
chief: We're ready to attack
The Independent, December 22, 2002
The United States' most senior military official, General Richard Myers, Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declared yesterday that his troops are ready
to attack Iraq the moment they get the green light from President George Bush.
"US forces are ready if called upon," he said.
Milliyet:
Turkey's position regarding Iraq
Arabic News, December 21, 2002
The Turkish daily Milliyet said yesterday that the US has sent a message to
Turkey saying that the American- Turkish deployment into north Iraq will be
conducive to quick results for a likely military operation against Iraq.
Iraq:
U.S. Prejudges U.N. Arms Searches
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - American and British officials are rushing to judgment
about Iraqi's weapons report and should wait for U.N. arms inspectors to do
their job, the chief scientific adviser to President Saddam Hussein said Sunday.
Oilmen
don't want another Suez
The Observer, December 22, 2002
While Washington hawks depict a war against Iraq as achieving security of
oil supplies, Western oil companies are worried about the short-term danger
and the supposed long-term benefits of intervention.
US
calls for tougher Iraq inspections
BBC, December 22, 2002
The United States has renewed calls for the United Nations weapons inspections
in Iraq to be conducted more aggressively. US National Security Adviser Condoleezza
Rice said she wanted the number of inspectors on the ground to be increased
to 250 or 300 - from a current total of just over 100.
French
journalist killed by US tank
BBC, December 22, 2002
One of the best-known television journalists in France, Patrick Bourrat, has
died in hospital in Kuwait.
Will
he really risk a fight?
The Observer, December 22, 2002
As the US military machine gears up for war, Saddam Hussein must decide whether
he is really prepared to lead his country into a conflict he knows it cannot
win.
Army
Set for Kuwait Nighttime Exercises
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
SOUTH OF THE KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER (AP) - U.S. soldiers offered prayers Sunday
for a French television reporter killed in an accident while covering the
biggest U.S. military exercise since the Gulf War.
Iraq:
U.S. Has No Evidence of Banned Arms
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - An influential Iraqi newspaper on Sunday expressed skepticism
the United States and Britain have information that could lead U.N. experts
here to caches of illegal arms.
Research
Explores Nerve Gas Effects
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - Low levels of sarin nerve gas affected behavior and organ
functions in laboratory animals at least a month after exposure, suggests
new research that may provide clues to the mysterious illnesses of Persian
Gulf War veterans.
U.S.
Giving Better Data to U.N. Iraq Team
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States is increasing the quality of intelligence
given U.N. weapons experts in Iraq as the United Nations bolsters its inspection
team and can act more quickly on the information, American officials said.
Gulf
Summit Ends With Decry of Saddam
The Guardian, December 22, 2002
DOHA, Qatar (AP) - Gulf nations condemned Saddam Hussein for threatening Kuwait
and said Sunday that Mideast peace is possible only if Israel withdraws from
Palestinian territories.
Israel
readies for Iraq conflict
BBC, December 22, 2002
Israel says it will stage joint military exercises with the US as part of
the country's preparations for possible attack following any strike on Iraq.
Hope
in the Holy Land
The Observer, December 22, 2002
There's one school in Israel that shines out in a country darkened by violence.
Old girl Rachel Cooke tracks down her Arab and Jewish classmates who sat side
by side and still remain friends - against all the odds.
Official
Israeli representatives in Germany exploit migrant workers
Alternative Information Center, December 22, 2002
Israeli diplomats in Berlin are employing Filipino housekeepers in conditions
of exploitation – so claims a German women’s organisation for
the protection of women workers from Southeast Asia.
Adalah:
Election News Update
Adalah, 21 December 2002
Attorney General, Supported by GSS, Seeks Disqualification of NDA Party from
Israeli Elections; Right-Wing MKs Ask to Ban Three Arab MKs and Three Political
Parties; Adalah to Represent All Arab MKs and Political Parties
Powell's
Initiative 'Worded' The GCC Statement: Experts
Islam Online, December 22, 2002
GCC ignored the U.S. military build up to attack Iraq -- CAIRO, December 22
(IslamOnline) - By ignoring the huge U.S. military build up in the region,
mounting threats against Baghdad, and the Palestinian Intifada, the Gulf monarchies
adopted what could be termed a "self-defense" strategy, experts told IslamOnline
Sunday, December 22.
Labor
MK Katz defects to Am Ehad
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
MK Yossi Katz became the latest senior official to leave the Labor Party,
calling a press conference in Beersheba on Sunday to announce he is joining
Histadrut Chairman Amir Peretz's Am Ehad.
British
relay message from Assad to Sharon
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles relayed a message from Syrian President
Bashar Assad to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Thursday, according to Israeli
diplomatic sources.
Palestinian
opens fire on German diplomat's car
Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2002
A Palestinian fired shots at the bulletproof vehicle of a German diplomat
who was in Jenin to meet with Fatah leader Kadour Moussa on Saturday afternoon.
Greece,
Turkey to Obrain U.S. Missile Support
Middle East Newsline, December 22, 2002
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has approved support for the naval
missile programs of Greece and Turkey.
MTCR
Slows Down Mideast Missile Programs
Middle East Newsline, December 22, 2002
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The missile programs of Egypt, Iran and Israel have been
hampered by a U.S.-led international nonproliferation regime, a new congressional
report says.
Palestinian
funds inquiry may damage Commission
EU Observer, December 19, 2002
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - A number of Members of Parliament are trying to get
enough support in order to launch an inquiry into allegations that EU funds
going to the Palestinian Authority are being used to support terrorist activities.
Out of the 157 signatures needed to launch this inquiry, 126 have already
been collected. The Commission is opposing this inquiry, leading some MEPs
to suppose that the Commission has something to hide.
US
not happy with Germany heading UN body
The Dawn, December 19, 2002
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 18: Germany has been tipped to head the United Nations
Security Council's sanctions committee, a prospect which does not sit well
with Washington, diplomats said here.
Former
Rep. Wayne Owens Found Dead in Israel
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
"His body was found on a beach in Tel Aviv at about 9 p.m. local time.." --
WASHINGTON - Wayne Owens, 65, a former Utah congressman and longtime advocate
for Middle East peace, was found dead Thursday in Israel, according to the
State Department.
British
Bishops To Deliver Anti-war Christmas Sermons
Palestine Chronicle, December 22, 2002
LONDON - The anti-war movement in Britain will move to the churches as leading
bishops plan to preach against a war in Iraq this Christmas, openly defying
British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government, a U.K. newspaper reported
Sunday.
US
Diplomacy Criticized by PNA, Hailed by Israel
Palestine Media Center, December 22, 2002
Washington’s blocking of a swift adoption of an international peace
plan for the Middle East and its vetoing a UN resolution critical of Israel,
were criticized by the Palestine National Authority (PNA) while the Jewish
state welcomed the unwavering support of its US chief ally.
