Wednesday, July 08, 2015

China - Signs of Policy Change




President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Modi in a Buddhist temple.


When China's President Xi Jinping received India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015, he led him to a Buddhist temple and underlined the common cultural link between both countries and which is based on Buddhism. Centuries ago, Buddhism had started in India and had made its way into China, such dominating China's culture until the Communist movement of Mao Zedong swept away each and every ideology seen as opposing the new doctrine of atheism. Only to mention the fierce campaign against Confucianism during the Cultural Revolution and, in recent times, the pursuit of members belonging to the Falungong movement which described itself as some kind of spiritual way to live in peace with nature without any political goal at all. As to the Falungong movement, Chinese authorities argued that politically motivated foreign influence was behind it. This, however, cannot be entirely excluded as the Falungong movement found itself a strong base in North America, home of the eternal enemies to Communism.

Now, an anti-Communist Chinese paper pretends to detect further signs of Buddhism entering daily politics in Communist China; - a nice opportunity to look into the internal proceedings of a country that managed to develop its most successful capitalist state economy on the basis of a dominating Communist ideology.




习近平—再释信号

Xi Jinping - Another Signal for Buddhism.

“历史性时刻”将临

" A historic moment " to be faced.

密审周永康后 习近平祭出大动作

After a close examination dominating many weeks,
Xi JinPing [now] celebrates a big movement.


横扫“东北恶虎”徐才厚、密审“政法沙皇”周永康之后,习近平的下一个目标是谁?就在各方猜测之际,习近平连番祭出“大动作”,剑指江派大佬曾庆红、江泽民。评论指出,中国时局的拐点,已然清晰浮现。

After endless weeks of sweeping away the " evil north-eastern tiger's " gentle ability and kindness and a close examination of " tsarist politics and law " : What [now] is the target addressed by Xi Jinping ? [Hence] everywhere it is guessed at the moment that Xi Jinping is repeatedly celebrating a big movement. The sword being pointed at the boss of the Jiang [Zemin] faction Zeng Qinghong and Jiang Zemin himself. A comment is pointing out that the break point of China's current political situation has already clearly appeared.





陈云家族转向 太子党联盟反江

[The mighty clan] changes its direction: The party of the
crown prince forms an alliance to counter Jiang [Zemin].


[Source: epochtimes 大纪元时报, the European edition of an anti-communist Chinese paper on 1st July 2015]. Another Chinese publication came with a similar stance:

陈云家族变脸 太子党八大家族结盟倒江

A sudden turn of [the mighty clan]: The [mighty eight] in the party of
the crown prince are forming an alliance to topple Jiang [Zemin].


[Source: chinaexaminer 中国观察 on 5th July 2015]


Editor's Note:

Zeng Qinghong is a retired member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China. During the 1990s, Zeng was a close ally of then-Party Secretary General Jiang Zemin (1989-2002), and was instrumental in consolidating Jiang's power. For years, Zeng was the primary force behind the party's organization and personnel.

Before his retirement from daily politics between 2007 and 2008, Zeng used his political strength to secure the elevation of Xi Jinping into the Politburo Standing Committee. Xi Jinping, who succeeded Zeng in his posts of Vice-President and executive secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee, then became the heir apparent to succeed Secretary General Hu Jintao (2002-2012) as China's top leader.

Recent Chinese publications now indicate a change of policy under the guidance of Secretary General Xi Jinping and which is targeting former leader Jiang Zemin and his faction represented by Zeng Qinghong.

2014年习近平还提出了“依法治国”,从那时起利用法律来彻底清除江派的计划 就开始紧锣密鼓地进行了。

In 2014 Xi Jinping put forward the adage of "ruling the country according to law". From that time on, the law was utilized to totally erase the Jiang faction's plannings engaged in starting an intense publicity drive.
[=> quotation from epochtimes]

What has been translated as the " mighty clan " or the " mighty eight ", is essentially referring to the Politburo Standing Committee and the Secretary General of China's Communist Party.

Whether the approach of Buddhist virtues is just a means of delivering some new policy or an enrichment of Communist ideology based on national tradition remains to be confirmed. After all it should be noted that India's premier Modi visited China at first place to discuss urgent problems between both countries and to sign some important agreements.

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Recent visitors to "blueprint news":

Visitor No. 200.000 was detected on 9th July 2015 at 09:17 GMT
and identified as coming from the U.S.A. while using an iPad.





Panamá Canal Authorities



U.S.A.: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab)


Sunday, July 05, 2015

Egypt - Terrorism Just for Fun




صور لموظف مصري يرهب السياح بمسدس لعبة في شرم الشيخ

Pictures showing an Egyptian employee intimidating tourists
with a fake revolver in Sharm el-Sheikh.



وصل كجيمس بوند مرتديا بذلة سموكن، ليرهب السياح بتسلية مرعبة

Entering "James Bond", wearing distinctive clothing,
to terrorize tourists just for the fun of intimidation.


[Source: Al-Arabiya العربية on 4th July 2015]

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Further news from the region:



Ports of Egypt


غرق عبارة مصرية بالبحر الأحمر وإنقاذ طاقمها

Sinking of an Egyptian Ferry in the Red Sea and Saving of its Crew.


غرقت عبارة مصرية لنقل الشاحنات بمياه البحر الأحمر على بعد عشرة أميال من ميناء سفاجا، و تمكنت قوات الإنقاذ البحري من إنقاذ جميع أفراد طاقمها المؤلف من 37 شخصا.ـ

Sinking of an Egyptian ferry loaded with trucks in the waters of the Red Sea, ten miles away from the port of Safaga. The sea rescue service could save all individual crew members, altogether 37 persons.


[Source: Al-Jazeera الجزيرة on 5th July 2015]

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Recent visitors to "blueprint news":



..... living on bits of information about terrorism.



..... interested in the proceedings of Al-Qaeda and ISIS.



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Europe Fights Illegal Immigration


Important Update Added
on a Further Escalation
of the Refugee Crisis !




عملية عسكرية أوروبية بالمتوسط ضد #الهجرة_غير_الشرعية

Europe's Military Operation in the Mediterranean to Fight Illegal Immigration


أطلق الاتحاد الأوروبي عملية عسكرية بحرية في المتوسط من أجل تفكيك شبكات الهجرة غيرة الشرعية.ـ

The European Union launched a military naval operation in the Mediterranean in order to disintegrate networks [serving] illegal immigration.

العملية التي حُشِدت لها قدرات هائلة ستتركز في مرحلتها الأولى على جمع المعلومات حول المهربين في انتظار قرار دولي أو طلب من الحكومة الليبية يمَكن القوات الأوروبيه من التحرك داخل المياه الإقليمية الليبية.ـ

The operation which is mobilizing considerable forces will be concentrating in its first phase on the collection of information on smugglers [while] awaiting an international resolution or a request from the Libyan government that would enable European forces to move in Libyan waters.


[Source: Al-Arabiya العربية on June 23, 2015]


From Luxembourg:
..... The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, told reporters. "The targets are not the migrants. The targets are those that are making money on their lives and too often on their deaths," she said.

The EU aims to "dismantle the business model" of the traffickers by destroying their boats. But the U.N. has been slow to endorse the operation amid criticism from refugee groups that the move will only deprive migrants fleeing poverty and conflict of a major way to escape, rather than address the roots of the problem. Libya's divided factions have also been reluctant to approve any operation in its waters or on land, which means that the transition to more robust phases of the naval mission could take months. The internationally recognized government has refused to give consent for U.N. action aimed at endorsing the plan because European governments have discussed it with Libyan militias that control coastal territory. People smuggling has become a major security issue in Libya, severely affecting European countries, with Libya becoming the major port favored by smugglers for illegal immigration. The country has no control or security checks at the border. As the crisis leads to more people fleeing the country, militia groups loyal to rival factions have made huge sums of money by cooperating with people smugglers as they allow them to pass through their territory.

A senior EU diplomatic official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to provide operational details, said five naval units led by the Italian light aircraft carrier Cavour, will be joined by two submarines, three maritime surveillance planes, two drones and two helicopters for the operation. .....

[Source: Daily Sabah , Istanbul, about 6 hours ago, on June 22, 2015]




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Europe Divided on Refugee Crisis

From Brussels and Budapest:
In a challenge to European leaders before a summit that aims to tackle a refugee crisis, Hungary unilaterally suspended an EU asylum programme on Tuesday, saying it was overburdened by illegal migrants.

As Italy said its ships had rescued 3,700 migrants at sea since Monday and Libyans threatened military action against EU moves to curb human trafficking, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government demonstrated Budapest's frustration with proposals to spread asylum seekers around the continent by refusing to take any more migrants sent there under EU regulations.

With EU leaders due to debate a new scheme on Thursday to relocate Mediterranean migrants landing in Italy and Greece, the European Commission demanded an immediate explanation after Hungary stopped accepting foreigners returned there from other EU states for their asylum requests to be handled by Budapest.

The move, made by a government already at odds with Brussels over civil rights, was seen as a challenge to the Dublin Regulations which state that asylum claims be handled in the EU country where migrants first arrive or first request protection.

The issue has this month sparked a row between founder EU members Italy and France after Paris began stopping suspected illegal migrants at their normally open border. .....

[Source: Channel NewsAsia on June 23/24, 2015]

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Fears of Illegal Border Crossings amid Strike Action
Forced Closing of Eurotunnel from Britain to France




..... Eurostar [railway] services have been suspended after protesters gained access to its terminal in France amid wildcat strike action by French ferry workers.

Eurotunnel said the decision to temporarily abort crossings to Britain were for "safety reasons" after French port workers trespassed on to its tracks. The firm said: "Passenger service temporarily suspended for safety reasons due to protesters having accessed our terminal in France. Trains stuck outside the tunnel were forced to return to their original stations in London, Paris and Brussels, Eurostar said.

Meanwhile, migrants massed in their thousands to take advantage of the industrial action by French ferry workers by trying to board UK-bound lorries.

Truckers forced to slow or stop due to queuing traffic on approaches to the northern French port were faced with migrants attempting to clamber on board. Migrants were seen walking by the sides of motorways looking for opportunities to jump on to lorries heading to the Port for Dover.

Tyres and hay bales were left burning at blockades created by striking MyFerryLink workers fearful that they will lose their jobs early next month. Ferry services to and from the Port of Dover were affected by the strike, but Eurotunnel earlier said their crossings were running to schedule, with two departures per hour.

The industrial action comes amid a worsening migrant situation near the Port of Calais where numbers camped there have swelled to more than 3,000 since April.

Video grab taken from BBC News of migrants by the side of a road in Calais as French ferry workers strike. Aid workers have reported a "catastrophic" situation, with predictions that some 2,000 more migrants displaced from war-torn countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan could arrive over the summer.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its travel advice on France today, urging travellers to keep their vehicle doors locked in slow-moving traffic and when unattended in Calais. It said: "Following industrial action at both Calais Port and at Eurotunnel in Coquelles, cross-Channel services are disrupted. Check the status of your booking with your operator before leaving home. "There are large numbers of illegal migrants in and around Calais, who may seek to enter the UK illegally. "Although local police patrols have been reinforced, you should keep vehicle doors locked in slow-moving traffic and secure your vehicle when it is left unattended." The FCO also said there was a "high threat" from terrorism due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terror groups and recent French military intervention against ISIS. Around 17 million Britons visit France every year. .....

[Source: Mirror Online, London, on June 23, 2015]

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

ISIS - Using Oil as a Weapon


Only some days ago, European TV stations announced that U.S. forces recently killed ISIS leader Abu Sayyaf in eastern Syria, a key figure responsible for ISIS oil sales which make up for an important source of revenue to finance their fight against the U.S.-Iraqi alliance. In the frame of that operation which should have taken place in mid-May, lots of data related to ISIS oil trade should have fallen into the hands of U.S. authorities. However, it might not be enough to cut off the flow of oil money into the Islamic State, as there are further risques of ISIS dramatically damaging the economic basis of Iraq and challenging the international oil markets.

The following Chinese article was published only some weeks ago and might serve to describe another risk caused by ISIS:




伊斯兰国势力或与伊拉克最大精炼厂玉石俱焚

ISIS is probably exerting control on Iraq's biggest refinery
such that " the good might go down together with the bad ".


FX168讯 据报道,伊斯兰国武装分子正在伊拉克最大的精炼厂内挖掘战壕,地点临近天然气和氧气罐,这会令未来此地作战风险提高,因战斗余波可能引发爆炸并毁掉整个精炼厂。

According to an FX168 news report, armed elements of ISIS are just digging trenches inside Iraq's biggest refinery. The site is near natural gas and oxygen tanks. This could indicate increasing risks of fighting reaching the place. The after-effects of a battle could then possibly trigger off an explosion and wipe out the whole refinery.

在去年6月伊斯兰国包围该设施后,虽然对该区域附近有超过300次猛烈空袭,目前仍被伊斯兰国控制。上月激进分子对此地发动了猛烈攻势,目前有200名当地伊拉克安全力量被困在一片地形复杂区域。

After last year in June, when ISIS surrounded that facility, the neighbouring region, and which is still controlled by ISIS, experienced more than 300 heavy air raids. Last month, radicals launched a fierce offensive in this place where, at present, a local Iraqi security force of 200 is surrounded on the terrain of a complex area.


[Source: FX168 全球视野的中文财经网站 Chinese website on finance and economy with a global field of vision, 13th May 2015]

其他新闻: [ 黎巴嫩真主党的战争 ]

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The proceedings of ISIS and Al-Qaeda in 2014
still preoccupy visitors from Muslimic nations.


Sunday, May 24, 2015

The Propaganda Network of ISIS




Some "sister from Brazil" tweeted:
I just can't wait to get out of here.
May Allah make it easy for me.

الإنترنت أبرز وسائل "داعش" للتغرير بالفتيات والشبان

The internet launches methods of ISIS to deceive adolescent women and men.


يتبع أفراد تنظيم "داعش" أساليب عديدة للتغرير بالفتيات حول العالم وإقناعهن بالانضمام إلى التنظيم في كل من العراق وسوريا. وتعتبر شبكة الإنترنت من أبرز الوسائل المعتمدة.ـ

To track individuals, ISIS organization [applies] numerous methods to deceive adolescent women all over the world and to persuade them to affiliate with the organization everywhere in Iraq and Syria. And the internet is being considered to apply methods of authentication.

وفي محاولة لكشف أساليب التنظيم بإغواء الفتيات، قامت صحافية تعمل لصالح شبكة التلفزيون الكندي بالتظاهر بالرغبة بالذهاب إلى سوريا وتسجيل محادثات تمت عبر سكايب مع أحد عناصر التنظيم الذي عرف نفسه باسم "أبو عنتر".ـ

While trying to investigate methods of the organization to seduce adolescent women, a journalist [report] made [with the help of] a Canadian TV network brought about an example of the desire to leave for Syria and [to enter into] negotiations taking place via SKYPE with one of the members of the organization and who presents himself as Abu Antar.

وانتقل الشاب البريطاني من أصل صومالي، أحمد كانتر أو أبو عنتر، إلى مدينة الرقة السورية وانضم إلى "داعش". وحاول التغرير بالفتاة التي ظن أنها تبلغ الـ15 من العمر ولقنها كيفية الفرار من بيتها للتوجه إلى سوريا عبر تركيا والزواج به.ـ

A young man from Britain and of Somalian extraction, Ahmed Canter or Abu Antar, moved to the Syrian town of Rakka and affiliated with ISIS. He tried to seduce a young girl who is supposed to become 15 years old and suggested her how to escape from her home in order to direct herself to Syria via Turkey [where] she would marry him.


A composite video attached to the above article is showing parts of ISIS propaganda videos, some recruiting chat and ISIS-friendly female twitter accounts.

[Source: Al-Arabiya العربية on 24th May 2015]

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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

N Korea - Shame and Scandal in the Family


Last Update: 23th May 2015



韩媒:朝鲜国防部长被枪决

South Korean media say that North Korea's defense minister was executed by shooting.


Official Chinese and other foreign media are spreading latest news on this subject, coming from the South Korean news agency, today, on 13th May 2015. Their news report is referring to a high-ranking source in the S Korean intelligence agency when indicating that defense minister Hyon Yong-chol 玄永哲 should have been killed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The day before, on 12th May, "New Tang Dynasty", an anti-communist Chinese TV station implied that Kim Jong Un as well poisoned his aunt. 金正恩被曝毒死姑.




韩方:朝鲜人武部长玄永哲被当众炮决

S Korea: N Korea's minister for people's defense Hyon Yong-chol publicly executed by shooting.

Chinese TV report says: Hyon Yong-chol until then reportedly enjoyed Kim Jong Un's confidence.

[Source: SINA News Center on 13th May 2015]

Further news from North Korea:


朝鲜结束第二日海上炮击训练 发射190余发炮弹

On the second day, North Korea concludes a maritime shelling exercise.
More than 190 artillery shells launched.

韩国说朝鲜连续两天进行夜间炮击训练

South Korea says N Korea carries out a nightly shelling exercise for the second day.

Location of that shelling exercise are territorial waters west of the Korean peninsula.

[Source: SINA News Center - People's Network on 14th May 2015]




[ Kim Jong-Chul ], brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un,
attending a concert of Eric Clapton in London, 20th May 2015.


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Sunday, May 03, 2015

70 Years Ago: End of World War II


Update added on 8th May 2015, 70 years after Germany
surrendered to allied forces at the end of World War II.

Update for Russian V-Day celebrations added on 9th May.
Update for Russia's short war against Japan on 10th May.



INO TV, the Russian language program of RT TV (Russia Today) now celebrating
70 лeт Великой Победы
70 Years of Great Victory
commemorating Russia's victory over Nazi-Germany in a devastating World War II.
The series of articles loaded by INO TV is related to Russia and the crisis in Ukraine.




Germany 1945 - U.S. troops advancing toward river Elbe,
and the liberation of Dachau concentration camp.




Russian language footage of Russian troops entering Berlin.
Authentic scenes of street fighting [British Pathé News]


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Moscow: V-Day Celebrations and Military Parade on 9th May






China's leader Xi Jin Ping and Russia's president Putin,
both linked in some kind of strategic partnership, are
just whispering during the parade of Russian missiles.



俄罗斯总统普京称俄中关系已经达到空前水平

Russia's president Putin says Russian - Chinese
relations already reached an unprecedented level.


According to Russian satellite news on 8th May, Putin
should have said this in the frame of a "Russia 24 TV"
broadcast. The complete phrase applied by Putin had
been quoted beforehand in a motion picture " Russia
and China - At the Heart of the Eurasian Continent ".
[Source: People's Network, Beijing, on 9th May 2015]

中俄贸易前景广阔 2015年将达到1000亿美元
The prospects for Chinese-Russian trade are wide-ranging.
In 2015 a 100 billion U.S.-$ trade volume will be reached.

By 2020, bilateral trade volume should reach 200 billion $.
[Source: People's Network, Beijing, on 11th May 2015]

An earlier blogspot of " blueprint news " is related to
the military partnership between China and Russia:
[ Chinese-Russian Naval Exercises in 2013 ]


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Another related blogspot of "blueprint news", and which is dating back to March 2014, reminds the historic development in Eastern Ukraine. Russian literary sources from the early years after World War II indicate that after German forces could be beaten back in 1943/44, workers came from all over Russia to the Donezk bassin to restore the essential coal mining industry and connected industrial branches. Some industry important as well for the production of arms had been partly transferred to regions east of the Ural mountains or to the Sverdlovsk area at a time when German troops still hurried eastwards toward Stalingrad, the place that should become a graveyard for many of them.




Most recent visitors from Russia and their subjects of interest.


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A visitor from Manchuria reminds Russia's short war against Japan




Since 1930 Japan had increased its sphere of influence in China's territory of Manchuria. That region had always been the target of Russia's and Japan's opposing interests because of its natural resources. The town of Harbin, an important junction for Russia's Manchurian railway line was so much under Russian influence that, both, Chinese and Russian was spoken there.

When Japan in 1932 finally invaded essential parts of Manchuria and founded the puppet state of Manchukuo with its capital Hsinking (now: Changchun), they employed PuYi, the last emperor of China who had just succeeded to get out of the hostile Republic of China. As emperor KangDe (since 1934) he tried to give reputation to the Japanese protectorate of Manchukuo, however with rather modest success.

When Japan surrendered to the western alliance in 1945 after the nuclear strikes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, PuYi / KangDe tried to leave for Japan in order to surrender to U.S. forces. Unable to find a plane, he finally decided to surrender to a Russian unit that followed fleeing Japanese troops, now that Stalin could afford sending troops to the Far East after the fall of Berlin. From his autobiography PuYi is quoted as saying: "We could have been hiding there for weeks but it would have made no sense any longer."
[浦仪:我的前半生]

Much later, Puyi was transferred from Russia to a Chinese prison for war criminals where he was held during the years of the Korean war when Manchuria served the People's Republic of China as a base for their "Chinese Volunteers' Army" on duty in North Korea. After reeducation, he became a regular citizen and, much later, even a member of the National Commission of the Political Consultation Conference for the People of China. China's first minister of foreign affairs and later prime minister Zhou EnLai ensured his protection up to the end. PuYi died in 1967, probably from cancer of the kidneys.

Editor's Remark:
As to the truth of that Chinese reeducation story, there are lots of photos showing PuYi during and after reeducation, together with remaining members of his imperial family (especially with younger brother PuJie) or in the presence of Zhou Enlai on official occasions. So, if the whole story was a fake, it would be a very well done fake and a highly professionally staged plot.
- Ulysses -

[ "History, place of birth and culture are three elements making up for a chemical reaction." ]
- China's leader Xi Jin Ping 2015 -




Japan Extending its Zone of Influence (1930-33).




The Soviet Invasion of Manchuria (1945).


The Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation (Манчжурская стратегическая наступательная операция) began on 9th August 1945, with the Soviet invasion of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo and was the last campaign of the Second World War and the largest of the 1945 Soviet–Japanese War which resumed hostilities between the Soviet Union and the Empire of Japan after almost six years of peace. Soviet gains on the continent were Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and Northern Korea. The rapid defeat of Japan's Kwantung Army with its central command in Hsinking (Changchun) has been argued to be a significant factor in the Japanese surrender and the end of World War II, as Japan realized the Soviets were willing and able to take the cost of invasion of its Home Islands, after their rapid conquest of Manchuria and South Sakhalin.



As agreed with the Allies at the Tehran Conference in November 1943 and the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the Soviet Union entered World War II's Pacific Theater within three months of the end of the war in Europe. The invasion began on 9th August 1945, exactly three months after the German surrender on 8th May (9th May, 0:43 Moscow time).

Although the commencement of the invasion fell between the atomic bombings of Hiroshima, on 6th August, and Nagasaki, on 9th August, the timing of the invasion had been planned well in advance and was determined by the timing of the agreements at Tehran and Yalta, the long term buildup of Soviet forces in the Far East since Tehran, and the date of the German surrender some three months earlier. On 3rd August, Marshal Vasilevsky reported to Premier Joseph Stalin that, if necessary, he could attack on the morning of 5th August.

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A visitor from Prague reminds German occupation of Czechoslovakia



On 15th March 1939, German troops entered Prague on behalf of Nazi-leader Adolf Hitler who then proclaimed from Hradjin Castle the German protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia ("Böhmen und Mähren"). During German occupation (1939-45), most members of Prague's once extensive Jewish community were deported and killed. In 1942, Prague witnessed the assassination of one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany – Reinhard Heydrich – during Operation Anthropoid, accomplished by Czechoslovak national heroes Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš. Heydrich was chief of the "Reichssicherheitshauptamt" (Reich Main Security Office) that comprised all essential German police organizations and "Stellvertretender Reichsprotektor" (Deputy Reich-Protector) of Bohemia and Moravia. On 5th May 1945, shortly before Germany capitulated, an uprising against Germany occurred. Four days later the 3rd Shock Army of the Soviet Red Army liberated the city. The majority (about 50.000 people) of the German population of Prague either fled or was expelled by the Beneš decrees in the aftermath of the war.




Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Iran - Maritime Incident in the Strait of Hormuz


Important news added on 30th April 2015 !



إيران تختطف سفينة أميركية وتقودها إلى ميناء "بندر عباس"ـ

Iran holds up U.S. ship and guides it to Bandar Abbas seaport.



احتجزت قوة إيرانية سفينة شحن أميركية، على متنها 24 بحارا من شرق أوروبا وآسيا، واقتادتها إلى ميناء بندر عباس الإيراني، اليوم الثلاثاء.ـ

On Tuesday [i.e. 28th April], Iranian forces held up a U.S. cargo ship with 24 sailors from Eastern Europe and Asia on board and guided it to the Iranian seaport of Bandar Abbas.

ومن جانبه، أكد متحدث باسم وزارة الدفاع الأميركية "البنتاغون" أن قوات ايرانية اعتلت السفينة "مايرسك تيغريس"، التابعة لشركة مايرسك، والتي ترفع علم جزر المارشال في الخليج.ـ

On behalf of the U.S. defence ministry "Pentagon" a spokesman confirmed that Iranian forces seized the ship "Maersk Tigris" which belongs to the company Maersk and is registered in the Marshall Islands.


[Source: Al-Arabiya العربية on 28th April 2015]



Name: MAERSK TIGRIS
Type: Container Ship
Gross Tonnage: 52600 t
Deadweight: 62292 t
Build: 2014
Flag: MARSHALL ISLANDS
Anchored in Bandar Abbas
since 28th April 2015, 19:35.


Editor's Note:
According to other sources, the MV Maersk Tigris has been stopped by Iranian forces belonging to the Revolutionary Guards without any obvious reason known so far. The Marshall Islands where the ship has been registered is connected with the United States by some association treaty that leaves all military defense of the island nation to the U.S.. That's why the nearby cruising destroyer USS Farragut has been ordered by the Pentagon to observe the situation.


Washington Examiner on 28th April 2015 (local date!):
Iran's seizure of the Maersk Tigris is the second time in a week it has harassed transiting vessels under U.S. protection in the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior defense official at the Pentagon said that on Friday, the Maersk Kensington, a U.S.-flagged cargo vessel, was intercepted by four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy patrol craft.
"In the incident, the [Iranian] patrol craft at one point encircled the Maersk Kensington, and eventually followed the ship as it continued on its course. The [Iranian] units eventually withdrew from the area," the official said.
Iran's harassment of ships in the Strait follows its attempt last week to send a convoy of vessels to Yemen, which was eventually turned away after the arrival of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.


Fars News Agency FNA, Tehran on Wednesday 29th April 2015:
After informed sources told FNA last night that "the ship ... has been seized by Iranian naval forces at the request of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization IPMO", IPMO deputy chief Hadi Haqshenas explained in his today remarks that Maersk Tigris has been engaged in payment disputes with the Iranian "Pars Tala'eyeh Oil Products Company" for several years.
He said the Iranian company had "started litigation in recent years to sue Maersk Line Shipping Co.", adding that "after the court of appeal upheld the initial court ruling in favor of the Iranian company, ordering Maersk Line Shipping Co. to make up for the financial losses of the plaintiff, the decree was sent to Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization - which is in charge of maritime affairs according to international laws and regulations - on March 15, 2015 to be put into effect".
"The IPMO then requested the operational forces to put the court ruling in action," Haqshenas continued.
Haqshenas's statements were later today repeated in an official statement of the IPMO, where the organization underscored that the seizure was "purely the result of a legal case and not a military development in nature".
The statement also added that all the moves made with regard to the vessel, including the court proceedings and ruling, "fully comply with the international laws and maritime rules and regulations".
"Given the legal nature of the case and considering that the responsibility for the seized vessel falls under the judicial authority now, its release will only be possible through a judicial decree," it stressed.
The IPMO statement also reiterated that Maersk Co. has been fully briefed about the detailed measures adopted with regard to the vessel and the crew since its seizure in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday.
Later today, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham also made similar remarks, stressing the legal nature of the seizure.
She also underlined that the crew are "fully sound and healthy" and "have been provided with full consular access".
.....
Iranian sources had earlier stated that the crew members were from Britain, Bulgaria, Romania and Myanmar.
International law recognizes Iran that has the lengthiest coastline (more than 2,000km) on the rims of the Persian Gulf as to be in charge of security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
In Iran, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy is responsible for protecting security of territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, while the naval forces of the regular army are in charge of security in the Caspian Sea as well as missions in the high seas.

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Sunday, April 26, 2015

Yemen - U.S. Chasing Iranian Convoy


Last Update added on 27th April 2015



أميركا تؤكد سحب إيران سفنها.. والأخيرة تنفي

America confirms the withdrawal of Iranian ships ..... and last dementi.


نفى قائد البحرية الإيرانية أن تكون سفن بلاده قد غادرت المياه الدولية في خليج عدن قبالة اليمن، وأكد أن السفن لا تزال موجودة هناك بهدف تأمين السفن التجارية الإيرانية.ـ

The Iranian navy commander denied that ships of his country abandoned international waters in the Gulf of Aden facing Yemen and stressed that [=> his navy's] ships would not leave from there in order to secure the Iranian merchant ships.

وكان مسؤولون أميركيون أعلنوا أن واشنطن سحبت حاملة الطائرات "ثيودور روزفلت" والبارجة "نورماندي" من سواحل اليمن، بعدما غيرت قافلة سفن إيرانية كانت متجهة إلى اليمن مسارها وعادت أدراجها.ـ

U.S. officials made known that Washington withdrew the aircraft carrier "Theodor Roosevelt" and battleship "Normandy" from the coasts of Yemen. Things had changed after a convoy of Iranian ships, heading to Yemen, turned back on track.

القافلة كانت تضم 9 سفن إيرانية، منها اثنتان حربيتان كانت في طريقها إلى اليمن على ما يبدو، إلا أن مسؤولاً أميركياً أفاد أن السفن الإيرانية تحركت إلى الشمال الشرقي مبتعدة عن اليمن.ـ

The convoy comprised nine Iranian ships, including two warships, on their way to Yemen, until it seemed that U.S. officials noted the Iranian ships were moving to the north-east [and] away from Yemen.


[Source: Al-Arabiya العربية on 25-26th April 2015.]


Editor's Note:
Both Iranian navy ships are rather small frigates and belong to the Iranian "Thondor" Type 021-class of missile-boats while the USS Theodor Roosevelt is a 100.000 ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier known as the "Big Stick" and that is coming together with her escort, the guided missile cruiser USS Normandy. According to western media, the merchant ships of the Iranian convoy are believed to be loaded with weapons for the Houthi rebels in Yemen.



The CNN War Scenario



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Update for 27th April 2015:



جنرال إيراني يعترف بدعم بلاده عسكريا للحوثيين في اليمن

Iranian general admits his country offers military support for the Houthis in Yemen.


قال مساعد العمليات في قيادة أركان القوات المسلحة الإيرانية، الجنرال علي شادماني، إن "إيران تدعم الحوثيين بالاستشارات العسكرية والمساعدات المعنوية والإرشادات".ـ

The deputy head of the operations department for the general staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, General Ali Shadmani, said that " Iran is supporting the Houthis with military advice, with moral assistance and instructions ".


[Source: Network for Information Survey شبكة رصد الإخبارية, Kairo, on 27th April 2015]

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Iranian visitor, allegedly coming from Heshmatiyeh Prison زندان حشمتیه‎, a
detention center for political prisoners and situated in Iran's capital Tehran.

A BBC report said that Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and
Mehdi Karroubi, together with their wives, were taken from their homes by
security forces to Heshmatiyeh Prison after their call for demonstrations in
Iran in the frame of Arabic Spring developments in Tunisia / Egypt in 2011.


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Arabic Alliance Addressing Yemenite People




منشورات من عاصفة الحزم تحذر اليمنيين من المد الإيراني

Circular letters, spread by the "Storm of Determination",
are warning Yemenites of Iranian [support / expansion].


The joint leadership for the operation Storm of Determination القيادة المشتركة لعملية عاصفة الحزم has spread circular letters that contain the following text:

أخي ابن اليمن: أن هدف قوات التحالف هو دعم الشعب اليمني ضد المد الفارسي.ـ

My brother and son of Yemen: That allied forces might support the Yemeni people to oppose Persian expansion.

دخول قوات التحالف جاء نتيجة لانقلاب الميليشيات الحوثية على السلطة الشرعية و على مخرجات الحوار الوطني لإعادة الأمور إلى نصابها.ـ

The intrusion of allied forces came as a result of Houthi militias toppling the legitimate authorities and "the holy oath of national dialogue" [i.e. National dialogue conference] for the reconstruction of things from their beginnings.

أخي المواطن اليمني: لا تنخدع بشعارات الجماعة الحوثية و ساند السلطة و الحكومة الشرعية.ـ

My brother and Yemeni citizen: Don't get fooled by the slogans of the Houthi community and support the legitimate authorities and [their] government.

إخواننا اليمنيين النصر قريب و المستقبل و اعد فحافظوا على وحدتكم.ـ

For our Yemenite friends help is near, and the future is promising [the defence] of your border.

أخي المواطن اليمني: أن قوات التحالف تعمل من أجل استقرار اليمن فكن عوناً لهم.ـ

My brother and Yemeni citizen: Might the alllied forces [succeed] in the aim to stabilize Yemen while bringing help to [its people].

استقرار اليمن جزء لا يتجزأ من استقرار الدول العربية

The stability of Yemen being an integral part of the stability of [all] Arabic countries.


[Source: Al-Arabiya العربية on April 19, 2015]