Iran may retaliate for Europe plane fuel ban: report

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki warned European countries on Tuesday that Iran might retaliate in kind for their denial of fuel to Iranian aircraft because of U.S. sanctions, a news agency reported.

Iran, at loggerheads with the West over its nuclear programme, has been hit by a new wave of international sanctions over its uranium enrichment activities, which the West fears are part of a plan to build a nuclear bomb, a charge Tehran denies.

“We have given the necessary warnings and if the current situation is not corrected in some European capitals, they will be faced by a reciprocal action from Iran,” Mottaki was quoted

as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency, without giving details.

U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law in July far-reaching new sanctions on Iran that aim to squeeze the Islamic Republic’s fuel

At least five dead as Thai protests end

BANGKOK: At least five people, including an Italian journalist, were killed Wednesday during an army crackdown on an anti-government protest site in Bangkok, police and a hospital said.

Earlier, Reds leaders had tearfully announced the end of their protest movement in front of a large crowd of emotional supporters, including many women and children.

“I know that you are suffering. Some of us are speechless. But we want to stop any more deaths here,” said Jatuporn Prompan. “I know that if the military comes here many of you will sacrifice your lives and we cannot stand to see that.”

“We are ending the protests here,” said Nattawut from the main protest stage. “I know this is unacceptable to some of you and some of you do not want to hear but we cannot stand against this cruelty.” “We will exchange our freedom with your safety. We have tried our best.”

Japan, Australia hold security talks

TOKYO: Japan and Australia were to hold talks in Tokyo Wednesday on stepping up military and diplomatic cooperation, despite a dispute between the Pacific allies over Japanese whaling.

Japan”s Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa were to meet their Australian counterparts Stephen Smith and John Faulkner in the late afternoon.

Tokyo and Canberra are working on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, under which their armed forces would provide each other with food, fuel and logistical support during peacekeeping and disaster-relief missions.

It is the third such meeting by the foreign and defence ministers of Japan and Australia since the nations signed a security pact in March 2007, and the first under the government of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

Iran FM taken aback by sanctions resolution

DUSHANBE Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki expressed surprise on Wednesday when asked about a draft sanctions resolution that has been agreed by world powers.

When asked by a foreign news agency what Iran”s reaction would be to the draft resolution, Mottaki said in English: “Are you sure?” After an assurance that major powers had agreed the draft, Mottaki said: “Don”t take it serious”.

The United States handed the U.N. Security Council a draft resolution on Tuesday that would expand U.N. sanctions against Iran by hitting its banking and other industries for refusing to halt nuclear enrichment.

Mottaki was attending a meeting in the Tajik capital Dushanbe of foreign ministers from the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Iran missed chance to break nuclear deadlock: US

WASHINGTON: The Obama administration said Friday that Iran missed another opportunity to break the deadlock with the world community over its nuclear program during a surprise, high-profile UN dinner Thursday.

The administration also claimed that Iran”s dinner invitation to all 15 UN Security Council members on Thursday is another sign that Tehran is worried about its international isolation and that US diplomacy is paying off.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the US and other delegates to the dinner hosted by Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki failed to bridge differences over a proposed nuclear fuel swap deal with Iran.

“It was a frank and professional exchange,” Crowley told reporters.

“Members of the Security Council pressed the Iranian government to promptly meet its international obligations,” he said.

“Several members of the council, including the US, pointed out the significant flaws and shortcomings in Iran”s approach,” he added.

“Mottaki focused on the Iranian counterproposal to the Tehran research reactor, which deviates in significant ways from the balanced IAEA proposal that Iran agreed to and then walked away from last October,” he said.

US President Obama announces 30,000 troop surge

NEW YORK: US President Barack Obama has announced he was pouring 30,000 more troops into Afghanistan, vowing to “seize the initiative” to end the unpopular war and start a pullout in July 2011.

In a major speech unveiling a new fast-track war strategy, Obama pledged for the first time that American forces would start coming home in 19 months, as he groped for an exit from a conflict many backers see as a Vietnam-style quagmire.

“Afghanistan is not lost, but for several years, it has moved backwards,” Obama said Tuesday evening, placing a bet that more forces could defeat Al-Qaeda, crush a resurgent Taliban, and pave the way for a withdrawal.

The speech, before young cadets at the US Military Academy at West Point who will fight Obama’s war, marked his biggest test yet as president, and best opportunity to redefine the conflict.

But while he set a date for the start of a US withdrawal from Afghanistan, he stopped short of establishing a deadline to complete the mission launched more than eight years ago in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

“As commander in chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interests to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan,” Obama said. Related article: NATO, US troop numbers in Afghanistan

“After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home,” he said, seeking to reassure Americans the new plan would not signal a war without end, and rejecting the comparison with Vietnam as a “false reading of history.”

The first US Marines could be in place by Christmas, just four months after war commander General Stanley McChrystal warned the war could be lost without more manpower. All the new troops will be fighting within six months.

McChrystal hailed the new strategy, saying it had provided him “with a clear military mission and the resources to accomplish our task.”

“The clarity, commitment and resolve outlined in the president?s address are critical steps toward bringing security to Afghanistan and eliminating terrorist safe havens that threaten regional and global security,” he said.

Obama also cranked up pressure on NATO allies for more troops, saying they were also threatened by Afghan-based terrorism.

Following an exhaustive strategy review, Obama rolled out new political approaches to Afghanistan and Pakistan and vowed to chase down Al-Qaeda wherever it emerged. Related article: Obama struggles with Afghan exit dilemma

He warned the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai, that the days of a US “blank check” were over, demanding a drive against corruption.

The White House said a key element of the political strategy would be backing for Afghan efforts to reintegrate Taliban members who renounce Al-Qaeda, lay down their arms and enter politics.

The same “cancer” of extremism that had torn at Afghanistan was also hurting Pakistan, Obama warned, crediting Islamabad with an unprecedented effort to combat home-grown extremism.

“We will act with the full recognition that our success in Afghanistan is inextricably linked to our partnership with Pakistan,” Obama said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called the new strategy courageous and urged “all countries which want to help the Afghan people to support it.”

Obama cautioned that strikes against America were “being plotted as I speak,” and warned he would go after Osama bin Laden’s terror group in Somalia or Yemen or further afield if necessary. Related article: Bagram Airbase is US nerve centre in Afghanistan

As many of Obama’s Democratic allies balk at the cost of the new troop surge, the US leader warned the new Afghan war operations would cost 30 billion dollars this year.

But in a swipe at the former Bush administration, blamed for not paying for conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, he said he would be open and honest in financing the operation.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, one of Obama’s fiercest critics in the US Congress, praised the new “surge of forces” and said it would help “reverse the momentum of the Taliban.”

But others bluntly dissented. “I do not support the president’s decision to send additional troops to fight a war in Afghanistan that is no longer in our national security interest,” said Democratic Senator Russell Feingold.

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US President Obama announces 30,000 troop surge was first posted on December 2, 2009 at 1:24 pm.

Iran releases five Britons: Radio

TEHRAN: Iran has released five Britons who had been detained in the Gulf after their yacht apparently strayed into Iranian waters, state radio said on Wednesday.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki late on Tuesday and called for formal consular access to the men and their speedy release. They were detained on Nov. 25.

“After getting necessary guarantees, Iran released the five,” state radio said. It gave no further details.

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Iran releases five Britons: Radio was first posted on December 2, 2009 at 1:28 pm.