Pentagon Proposes $2.7B In Iraq Arms Contracts: Moscow ‘rejects’ Saudi ‘offer’ to drop Assad for rich arms deal

Leader urges regional vigilance against foreign bids to stoke unrest Fri Aug 9, 2013 5:17AM Share | Email | Print Related Interviews: Leader’s words on US ‘very correct’'Iran election to influence Mideast'Related Viewpoints: ‘US, UK deserve to speak with Iran?’ In an address to a large crowd of worshipers attending Eid al-Fitr prayers on Tehran University campus Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei lauded the massive turnout of the Iranian people in the International Quds Day rallies, adding that their presence proved that Iranians remain steadfast in their support for one of the most pressing issues in the world and the history of Islam. The Leader further described the formation of a new administration in Iran as an important event which “took place in the best manner,” expressing hope that the new Cabinet would soon be formed with qualified ministers. Ayatollah Khamenei went on to contrast the developments in Iran with those in the North African and West Asian countries and said, “Unfortunately, unlike the gratifying events in Iran, the events in the Islamic region are worrisome.” The Leader pointed to the Zionist regime’s perpetual atrocities against the oppressed Palestinian people, and stated that one of the tragedies in today’s world is the backing of the so-called advocates of human rights and democracy for the Israeli regime’s brutalities. Like the previous rounds of negotiations, the current US-brokered talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will certainly yield no result other than the violation of the Palestinian people’s rights and further emboldening of Tel Aviv to press ahead with its crimes, the Leader said. “The US is obviously on the usurping Zionists’ side, and this concoction of arrogant [powers] will definitely be to the detriment of the Palestinians.” The Leader called on the Muslim world not to back down in the face of Israeli brutalities but to condemn the actions committed by Zionists and their allies. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on Egyptians and Iraqis to remain vigilant in the face of foreign plots to incite unrest in their countries. Ayatollah Khamenei further expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Egypt, describing as a “catastrophe” the rising likelihood of a civil war in the country. The Leader called on the great Egyptian nation, political groups, elites and scholars to consider the “dangerous consequences” of the ongoing situation. The Leader strongly condemned the killing of the people in Egypt, warning the Egyptian groups that brutality will be counterproductive. “If a civil war breaks out, it will create the required pretext for the interference of foreign powers,” Ayatollah Khamenei added. Highlighting the importance of democracy, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the problem of Egypt should be solved by the country’s people as well as political and religious groups, elites and scholars. The Leader also described the situation in Iraq as “regrettable” and said superpowers as well as reactionary states in the region are not happy with the democratically-elected Iraqi government. “Acts of terror, events and the killing of people in Iraq are certainly carried out through the financial-political aid by certain regional and transregional countries,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated. Such efforts, the Leader added, aim to prevent the Iraqi people from enjoying a peaceful life and strip the country of tranquility and prosperity. Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the unfortunate situation in Egypt, Iraq and the other countries gripped by insecurity and conflict pleases the Zionists. The Leader urged the Iraqi politicians, political groups and people from all walks of life including Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as Kurds and Arabs to pay attention to the dangerous repercussions of a civil strife, saying, “A civil war will destroy the infrastructures and ruin the future of nations.” ============== Posted on 07 August 2013. Tags: Air Defense, Arms Contracts, Pentagon, Stinger According to Al Arabiya, the Pentagon has notified the U.S. Congress of $2.7 billion in possible new sales to Iraq of air defense and communications systems. The most recent contracts would raise the value of a series of U.S. arms sales to Iraq that have been sent to Congress over the past two weeks to nearly $5 billion, which Congress has 30 days to take action on. The largest of the contracts proposed on Monday is worth an estimated $2.4 billion, and involves the sale of 681 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, 40 truck-mounted launchers, and 3 Hawk anti-aircraft batteries with 216 Hawk missiles. “These capabilities will provide Iraq with the ability to contribute to regional air defenses and reduce its vulnerability to air attacks, while also enhancing interoperability between the government of Iraq, the U.S, and other allies,” the Pentagon said in a statement. The second contract, worth $339 million, involves the sale of 19 mobile radio systems and 10 microwave radio systems. The Defense Security and Cooperation Agency also sent Congress three other proposed arms sales to Iraq worth $2 billion on July 25. A package that included the sale of 12 Bell 412 EP transport helicopters, and 50 Stryker armored vehicles equipped for nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical warfare. Iraq also previously ordered 36 F-16 fighter aircraft at the end of 2011. Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki last year called on the United States to accelerate the delivery of arms for Iraqi troops, after signing a contract with Moscow to supply Iraq with $4.2 billion in arms. The deal with Moscow fell through, however, because of suspicions of corruption. (Source: Al Arabiya) ======================= Saudi Arabia offers US$15Billion deal to Lure Russia to Back out from Asad August 8, 2013 i Rate This JNN 8 Aug 2013 Moscow : Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered to buy arms worth up to $15 billion from Russia, and provided a raft of economic and political concessions to the Kremlin – all in a bid to weaken Moscow’s endorsement of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The diplomatic initiatives were anonymously voiced to Reuters by multiple Gulf state diplomats and senior leaders of the Syrian opposition, in the wake of last week’s meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi National Security Council chief Prince Bandar bin-Sultan. The Saudi politician has orchestrated his country’s foreign policy in recent months. “Bandar offered to intensify energy, military and economic cooperation with Moscow,” a senior Syrian opposition figure told Reuters. “Bandar sought to allay two main Russian fears: that Islamist extremists will replace Assad, and that Syria would become a conduit for Gulf, mainly Qatari, gas at the expense of Russia.” The $15 billion figure was touted by a representative of the anti-Assad opposition, which Saudi Arabia has strongly backed throughout the rebellion in Syria which has lasted more than two years. Meanwhile, a Gulf source claimed that no specific figure was involved. Moscow and Riyadh, which traditionally acquires its arms from the United States, have had a massive contract on ice since 2008. Under Saudi Arabia’s terms, Russia would supply a huge assortment of equipment, including 150 T-90 tanks and more than 100 attack helicopters. In the past, Moscow has supplied billions of dollars worth of weapons to Assad, as well as maintained a naval base in Syria. Together with China, it has consistently blocked UN Security Council resolutions, saying they do not place any demands on the opposition – only on Assad. Sources indicate that Bandar asked Putin to not oppose any future Security Council resolutions on Syria. Bandar also reportedly assured Putin that Gulf states will not challenge Russia’s dominant position in the European gas markets, and promised him that extremist Islamic forces – which have gained prominence in the conflict – will not attempt to monopolize power in a future Syrian state. While diplomats involved in the talks described them as “inconclusive,” one Lebanese emissary close to the delegation said its Saudi members were “elated.” A Western diplomat told Reuters that Russia’s position was more a matter of prestige and geopolitics, and that the country was unlikely to publicly back down for the sake of mere economic incentives. There has been no comment from the Kremlin on the outcome of the visit, other than to say that the delegates discussed a “wide range of issues” with President Putin. A long-scheduled peace conference in Geneva, proposed by Russia and the US, has been pushed back and is currently under threat of cancellation. The meeting was supposed to achieve an immediate ceasefire and govern a political transition in Syria. The conflict has largely hinged on whether President Bashar Assad will be banned from playing any political role in post-conflict Syria – a condition the opposition has demanded before it sits down at the negotiating table. More than 100,000 people have perished in the conflict, according to UN estimates. ================== Moscow ‘rejects’ Saudi ‘offer’ to drop Assad for rich arms deal Published time: August 08, 2013 19:07 Edited time: August 09, 2013 05:14 Get short URL Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, general secretary of the National Security Council of Saudi Arabia, meeting in Moscow (RIA Novosti / Alexey Druzhinin) Big deal, Military, Putin, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria Moscow has said “no” to Saudi Arabia’s alleged proposal of a rich arms deal and protection of Russia’s gas interests in the Middle East in exchange for abandoning Syrian President Bashar Assad, according to Arab and European diplomats. The proposal of $15 billion in weapons contracts was allegedly made during the July 31 meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and influential intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Reuters reported. Neither Moscow nor Riyadh has officially commented on the agenda of the talks, but a Thursday AFP report revealed new details of the negotiations. According to an undisclosed European diplomat, Prince Bandar proposed the deal and told Putin that "whatever regime comes after" Assad will be "completely" in Riyadh’s hands. The Prince reportedly stated that if the deal was accepted, Saudi Arabia would not sign any contracts damaging Russian interests by allowing Gulf countries to transport its gas across Syria to Europe. The terms included Moscow dropping its support of President Bashar Assad, as well as not opposing any future Security Council resolutions on Syria. "President Putin listened politely to his interlocutor and let him know that his country would not change its strategy," a separate Arab diplomat told AFP. Bandar bin Sultan then told Russian officials that the only option left in Syria is a military one – and that they should forget about the Geneva-2 international peace conference because the opposition would not attend, the source said. Efforts to bring about the conference – which has been put forth by the US and Moscow – have so far been fruitless, mainly because of the absence of unity within the opposition ranks. A handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the presidential palace in Damascus, on February 7, 2012 (AFP Photo) Russia and Saudi Arabia - which traditionally buys its military hardware from the US – have had a massive arms contract frozen since 2008. Back then, the sides agreed that Moscow would supply a huge assortment of equipment, including 150 T-90 tanks and more than 150 attack helicopters, to the Gulf state. According to sources within Russian arms exporters, the status of the deal has not changed following the talks. The insider added that Russia has not received any offers to purchase weapons from Saudi Arabia. "We know nothing about such intentions of the Saudi side," a senior source in military-technical cooperation told RIA Novosti news agency. Some Russian experts say Saudi Arabia acted as a US proxy in the alleged proposal, as it has been doing for the past two years of the Syrian conflict. “Any direct involvement in the region by either the US or any former European colonial powers is perceived as an affront. But with the given arrangement, any initiatives by the influential, authoritarian regional super power (and Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly that) are taken for granted,” political analyst Igor Khokhlov told RT. “The situation is nothing new,” he added. “Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Afghan mujahideen in the 1980s were being sponsored by the USA and Saudi Arabia in equal shares. But the Saudi role allowed the US to present the conflict as a war of liberation – not as a clash of two superpowers in the farthest reaches of the world.” Others believe the media reports of a Saudi offer is nothing more than a hoax aimed at highlighting Russia’s stance on Syria in a negative way, adding that such a method is no way to “conduct diplomacy.” “Clearly, this is stove-piping,” director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Vitaly Naumkin, told Interfax news agency. “Its purpose is either to influence the position of the Syrian authorities or, more likely, to discredit Russia. To sow doubt on the fact that Moscow has a serious and reasoned position on Syria, and to create the impression that Russia may change its point of view in exchange for Saudi promises.” Naumkin reminded that similar attempts were made previously. There were reports in 2009 of that Barack Obama told then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that Washington would change its position on Iran if Moscow ended the halting of a US missile shield program in Eastern Europe. The meeting between Putin and Bandar came amid tension between the two states over the conflict in Syria, with Russia accusing the Saudis of "financing and arming terrorists and extremist groups" fighting against Assad.

An Afghan mission that went wrong

Afghan Journal
Lifting the veil on conflict, culture and politics

10:07 October 30th, 2009


Posted by: Sanjeev Miglani


Reuters Kabul correspondent Jonathon Burch is currently on an embed with the U.S. Army’s Stryker brigade in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province. On October 27, eight soldiers from a platoon of the Strykers, named after an eight-wheel armoured combat vehicle, were killed in a bomb attack on the outskirts of Kandahar city.

Jonathon was accompanying them at the time and here’s his story :

AFGHANISTAN

The mission was simple. Some 20 U.S. soldiers were to patrol a riverbed in the dead of night, camp until morning, and provide backup to Afghan troops and their Canadian mentors in a clearing operation in Chahar Bagh village, an insurgent hotbed on the outskirts of Kandahar City.

Less than 12 hours later, seven of the soldiers and their Afghan interpreter would be dead, killed by a massive homemade bomb buried deep under pebbles along the dried-out riverbed.

The attack illustrates how a more aggressive U.S. military strategy of going into Taliban strongholds risks mounting casualties as President Barack Obama weighs whether to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan. The initial operation this week passed without incident. Around 200 Afghan soldiers and their Canadian trainers pushed through the village of mud houses surrounded by lush pomegranate orchards. A handful of men were arrested for later questioning.

The U.S. soldiers were not needed.”What are you going to write about? This is some boring ass mission,” one 1st Platoon soldier joked with a reporter as the sun rose behind a cragged mountain towering over the village. The soldiers — small groups from three platoons of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 17th Infantry Regiment Stryker Brigade — had pushed out from their base at around midnight. Not far from Chahar Bagh village, they dismounted from their armoured Stryker vehicles and continued on foot.

Setting up in the riverbed alongside the village, the soldiers kept watch and waited. As the sun rose across the river valley, they jibed with each other and talked about life back home.
By mid-morning, the operation was over. Three Stryker vehicles rumbled towards 2nd Platoon men waiting further down the riverbed to bring them back to base.

As the vehicles returned with the soldiers on board, a huge explosion sent rocks and sand flying high into the air. The first Stryker had hit a massive IED or improvised explosive device, flipping the 20 tonne vehicle onto its side. The thick armoured plate beneath the Stryker had been blown straight through the floor and the roof. Pieces of metal and debris lay strewn around the wreckage.

Minutes earlier, 1st Platoon soldiers had set off on foot, passing right over the site of the bomb, to meet their own waiting vehicles. As they mounted their Strykers, less than 400 metres (yards) away, the explosion tore through the air.
“Oh shit! Get in! Get in!” yelled 1st Platoon Sergeant First Class Kelekolio Paresa to his soldiers and accompanying reporters as the men scrambled into the vehicles.

“I got, I got, seven KIA (killed in action) and an Afghan interpreter KIA!” a broken voice came across the radio.”Shit, we gotta go back and help!” shouted Paresa. The 1st Platoon Strykers turned around and raced back. As they reached the scene, gunfire broke out. Insurgents, laying in wait, were firing at the Strykers from orchards next to the village. Seconds later, the deafening sound of gunfire burst through the air as the Strykers returned fire. Empty shell casings rained down inside the vehicle, bouncing off the floor.
“Open the ramp!” shouted Paresa.

Soldiers poured out of the Stryker, firing a hail of bullets and grenades towards the oncoming gunfire. Two Kiowa attack helicopters circling above fired rockets into the orchards.
The insurgents stopped firing. “Cease fire!” shouted Paresa. “I need seven litters (stretchers)!” yelled a soldier near the overturned Stryker. It had carried nine men. Seven soldiers and their Afghan interpreter were killed instantly. Their bodies, ripped apart in the blast, lay scattered around the wreckage. The soldiers lifted the dead onto stretchers to be picked up by a helicopter. Only the driver survived.

“Thank God we were on foot. We walked right over that IED. Twice! That triggerman was waiting for the Stryker,” said Paresa later.
The men from 1st Platoon had walked across the site of the bomb and had camped no more than 50 metres away. A command wire, used to activate the bomb, was traced some 100 metres away behind a low stone wall. An insurgent had most likely been behind the wall, waiting for a Stryker to pass full of soldiers before he detonated the bomb, the soldiers said.

They estimated the size of bomb at 600-900 kg (1,300-2,000 pounds). It was the largest IED any of the soldiers had ever experienced, in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The Stryker Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in July as part of a troop drive ordered by Obama to quell a strengthening insurgency. For the past few months, the Strykers have been trying to clear insurgents from villages they say are used as staging posts for attacks inside Kandahar City.

The militants, preempting the soldiers’ arrival, have laid dozens of bombs in their path. The Strykers have suffered a high rate of casualties. In all, the Brigade has lost more than 30 soldiers, 20 of those from 1st Battalion and 10 of those from Charlie Company. More than 40 have been wounded.

IEDs, the Taliban’s weapon of choice, have killed nearly 240 foreign soldiers this year alone. “That was my best friend. We were together for two years. I just waved to him,” said Specialist Nicholas Saucier, speaking about one of the dead. “I’m sick of this shit! Guys are getting killed every week,” he said, tears welling up as he looked back at the wreckage.

Other soldiers took a more philosophical view. “These guys are great. Even after all this, after picking up their buddies’ dead body parts, they’ll soldier on. They dug deep. And in a couple days they’ll get back on their horse and do what they have to do,” said Staff Sergeant Jason Hughes.