Wednesday, August 15, 2012

China vs Japan - Modern Imperialism - UPDATE


- Developing Story on Multilateral Dispute -
UPDATE for August 17 / 18 / 19 further down !


After renewed territorial claims of the Japanese government regarding some islands in the East China Sea, China is now teasing Japan by sending some "inofficial" personnel from Hongkong to land on disputed Diaoyu Island.

民间保钓人士计划今登钓鱼岛 日方称此举系非法入侵

"Nongovernmental personnel for the protection of fishing" is planning to set foot on Diaoyu Island, today. - Japan is calling this act an illegal intrusion.


香港保钓行动委员会成员将中国国旗插在船上

A member of the Hongkong [based] "committee for operations to protect fishing" is plugging in China's national flag on board of [their] ship.


[Source: People's Network, Beijing, on August 15, 2012]

For further information on that subject click to the following link:
Japan - Territorial Claims

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UPDATE for August 17, 2012:

Two days later on August 17, CNN reported the arrest of 14 Chinese citizens from Hongkong trying to land on Diaoyu Island and plant there a Chinese and a Taiwanese flag. The arrest was executed by Okinawa police and the Japanese coast guard. Some time later, all of the Chinese were sent back to Hongkong without further criminal charges by Japanese authorities.

The same day, August 17, chinanews.com published a series of five articles in Chinese on the subject of disputed Pacific islands, thus showing the significance of that matter in times when offshore oil and fishing grounds become more and more important.

Here are some stances from these articles, partly referring to academic analysis done at a center for studies of foreign relations at China's University of the People:

专家析日本钓鱼岛问题背后战略为遏制中国崛起

Professional analysts [say] Japan's strategy behind the subject of Diaoyu Island is to keep China's ascent [as a political force] within limits.


Referring to Japan's three-sided quarrel with China, South Korea and Russia over territorial claims in the Pacific Ocean:

专家:日“三面争岛”反映其在本地区相对

Experts [say] Japan's "Three-sided island dispute" is reflecting its relative isolation in that region.

专家:日本与俄争岛是欲为历史翻案俄不会让步

Experts [say] the island dispute between Japan and Russia is [based on Japan's] wish to reverse a historic verdict which Russia is unable to [accept].


While dealing with a struggle for islands it makes sense for the quoted Chinese source to hint at Japan's navy, decided to further increase its power. At least, that's why a member of Japan's general staff is visiting the U.S. in order to test a brandnew and highly sophisticated MV-22 transport plane "Fish Hawk" (pictures below) for possible use in his navy. - Fish again !


日本军方高官将访美国欲试乖“鱼鹰”运输机

A high-ranking Japanese general is visiting the U.S. where he likes to test their [smart] "fish hawk" cargo plane.


Regarding the quarrel between Japan and South Korea after South Korean president Lee Myung-bak's unexpected visit to one of the disputed islands, there is another Chinese article on the island subject in the same August 17 edition of "chinanews.com":

韩国军警将多方阻止日本右翼登“独岛”意图

South Korea's military and police are taking manifold measures to prevent Japanese right-wing members from landing on "Solitary Island".


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UPDATE for August 18, 2012:

As a warning to South Korea, the North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un has just visited an island that is being disputed between both countries. [Source: CNN on August 18, 2012]



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UPDATE for August 19

Proceedings of an operation led by Japanese nationalists:

9名日本右翼人士登上钓鱼岛 包括日本国会议员

Nine Japanese right-wing members landed on Diaoyu Island, including [a] member of Japan's parliament.


According to People's Network, Beijing, 21 boats carrying 150 Japanese nationalists headed for Diaoyu Island on August 18. The group who call themselves "Troop for Relieving the Spirit 慰灵团" included eight members of Japan's parliament. On August 19, nine rightists finally landed on that island which was claimed by Hongkong activists only some days ago. The "inofficial" Chinese operation has raised diplomatic turmoil between both countries and triggered off the actual operation by Japanese nationalists.

Pictures below: Part of the flotilla and the group of successful "invaders".
[Source: People's Network on August 19]



China's official response after the landing of Japanese rightists on Diaoyu Island on August 19, 2012, has been made known by a spokesman of the foreign affairs ministry at a press conference in Beijing on the same day:

日本右翼分子的非法行径侵犯了中国领土主权。外交部负责人已向日本驻华大使提出严正交涉,表示强烈抗议,敦促日方停止损害中国领土主权的行动。

The illegal [act] of Japanese rightists is violating China's territorial sovereignty. A leading official from the ministry of foreign affairs has already undertaken a stern approach towards Japan's ambassador to China and [delivered] a strong protest, urging the Japanese side to stop [any] actions damaging China's territorial sovereignty.


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Snapshots from Japan's NHK World boadcast on August 19:

Japanese activists climbing about Diaoyu Island which they know by its Japanese name Senkaku. It is the biggest one among some other maritime rocks which they call Senkaku Islands:




Anti-Japanese protest rising in Hongkong and China (above):
Chinese protesters carrying a portrait of Mao Tse Tung. Furious Chinese demonstrators in front of Japan's Guangzhou consulate toppling a police car. Rather quiet protest in front of Japan's Beijing embassy.




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Syria - Bombing the General Staff - New Massacre


Latest UPDATE on August 16 further down !

Al-Arabiya's Report on August 15, 2012:

الجيش الحر يتبنى تفجير رئاسة الأركان في دمشق

The Free Army took responsibility for detonating [the seat of] the general staff in Damascus.

دمشق تعلن عن انفجار قرب فندق يقيم فيه المراقبون الدوليون

Damascus reporting an explosion from the neighbourhood of a hotel considered to host the National Surveillance.


تبنى الجيش السوري الحر تفجيراً استهدف صباح الأربعاء مقر الأركان العامة وسط العاصمة السورية دمشق

The Free Syrian Army [took responsibility] for the explosion on Wednesday morning at the seat of the People's General Staff in the center of Syria's capital Damascus.




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The following day, August 16, Al-Arabiya reported another massacre in the northern border region of Syria:

مجزرة جديدة يرتكبها النظام السوري بإعزاز الحدودية

A new massacre committed by the Syrian regime at [the frontier municipality of Azaz]

أكد طبيب سوري في مستشفى محلي أن غارة جوية شنتها طائرة سورية في بلدة أعزاز (شمالي البلاد)، أمس الأربعاء، أدت إلى مقتل 100 شخص، وإصابة 150 آخرين

A Syrian doctor in a local hospital confirmed an air raid by a Syrian plane in the municipality of Azaz in the northern part of the country, yesterday Wednesday [August 15], [leaving] a death toll of 100 persons and another 150 wounded.


Editor's Note: Later that day, CNN reported the air raid was directed against a nearby makeshift camp of reporters. As I followed earlier CNN footage of developments at the Syrian-Turkish border, it came to me without surprise that a camp of reporters (most probably from CNN) might exist on the Syrian side of the border after the Free Syrian Army recently took over control of that region. Now, the air raid is showing how dangerous any reporting from a battle-field can be. Only to remember that Al-Jazeera recently lost a reporter who died facing the camera, his bulletproof vest being blasted by a projectile for which it was not intended. Seconds later, his report was continued by a colleague. And that victim of war is not the only one among those who care for our "entertainment" far away from the battle-fields.

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In their special feature "Revolution Talk" on August 16, Al-Jazeera, Arabic TV, discussed latest developments of the day, including the difficulty to come to terms with China and Russia on the Syrian subject. Local news from Syria are as follows:


مواجهات بين الجيش السوري الحر و الجيش النظامي في مناطق بالعاصمة السورية دمشق

Confrontations between the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and troops of the regime in the outskirts of Syria's capital Damascus.


On August 13, the English service of Al-Jazeera had already reported about the Free Army's intention to block the main road from Damascus to Aleppo, thus keeping the seaports of Latakia and Tartus out of reach for government troops.



Monday, August 13, 2012

Egypt - Morsy Treating the Military - Sinai War


UPDATE on Sinai War further down !


مرسي: لا بد من الوفاء لمن كانوا أوفياء
Morsy: It is the inevitable compensation for those [named as being loyal].


Yesterday evening, the Arabic service of Al-Jazeera made a life transmission of a speech held by Egypt's President Morsy on Tahrir Square in Kairo. In that speech Mohammad Morsy announced decisions that are unspokenly designed to reduce the Military Council's power and get other institutions of state under control.

مصر: قرارات رئاسية مفاجئة
Egypt: Surprising Presidential Decisions


إلغاء الإعلان الدستوري المكمل

Invalidation of the proclamation of a constitutional supplement.

إحالة المشير طنطاوي للتقاعد, و تعيينه مستشارا للرئيس

Designation of Marshal Tantawi to take his retreat and his appointment as a presidential councillor.

إحالة سامي عنان للتقاعد و تعيينه مستشارا للرئيس

Designation of Sami Anan to take his retreat and his appointment as a presidential councillor.

[Sami Anan is another high-ranking officer.]


تعيين عبد الفتاح السيسي وزيرا للدفاع و الانتاج الحربي

Appointment of Abdelfatah al-Siasi as a minister of defence and [arms production].

New Defence Minister

تعيين المستشار محمود محمد مكي نائب لرئيس الجمهورية

Appointment of councillor Mahmud Mohammad Maki as a vice-president of the republic.

تعيين صدقي صبحي رئيسا لأركان الجيش المصري

Appointment of Sadiqi Sabahi as a [chairman] of the general staff for the Egyptian forces.



تعيين اللواء محمد العصار مساعدا لوزير الدفاع

Appointment of brigadier Mohammad al-Azar as a [vice-minister] of defence.

تعيين مهاب مميش رئيسا منتدبا لهيئة قناة السويس

Appointment of Mahab Mumish as a [chairman] of delegates in the Suez Canal committee.



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The actual development reported above might be influenced by what is happening now on Sinai peninsula:


For the first time since the 1979 peace treaty with Israel: Shooting again on Sinai. However, this time it is triggered off by militant Islamist groups who are trying to bring under their control that region which is bordering the Palestinian territory of Gaza. As free traffic to and from Egypt is not yet guaranteed to Palestinian citizens who are being pressurized by Israeli boycott and military incursions, some kind of underground war at the border has been kept running for years while, even worse, military access for Egyptian troops to the border region has been restricted as a consequence of the 1979 treaty.

Now, a certain amount of troops is being allowed into that quasi-demilitarized zone and, what is even more important, local Bedouins are willing to support them in order to get rid of the militant strangers. [Source: BBC, August 10]

This might be due to the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood standing behind their new president. An increase of power for Mohammad Morsy might therefore be part of a deal with the military.


السلطات المصرية ترسل تعزيزات عسكرية إلى العريش في شمال سيناء

Egyptian authorities are sending military reinforcement to Al-Arish in the northern part of Sinai.

مراسل الجزيرة في القاهرة: الرئيس المصري محمد مرسي يلتقي وزير الدفاع لبحث مستجدات الأوضاع في سيناء

According to Al-Jazeera's reporter in Kairo, the Egyptian President Mohammad Morsy meets with the minister of defence in order to examine new conditions for Sinai.


[Source: Al-Jazeera, August 9]

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UPDATE on August 16, 2012

As to a recent attack on the pipeline providing natural gas to Israel, Al-Arabiya reported the standpoint of Egyptian army commanders on that subject. [Al-Arabiya, August 16, 2012]


الجبهة السلفية بسيناء تتبنى ضرب خطوط الغاز

The "Salafist Front of Sinai" take responsibility for hitting the gas [pipe]line.

ناشدت قادة الجيش حقن الدماء معتبرة أنهم يجرونها إلى معركة

Army commanders, intending to avoid an expected bloodshed, demanded to risk an [open] battle.

أحقنوا الدماء التي تسيل وستسيل إذا استمر هذا العدوان فأنتم تجروننا إلى معركة

Avoid the shedding of [your] blood that is flowing and will flow as long as that hostility is continuing, [rather than will be flowing in a battle].





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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Syria - Days of Decisive Battles


!!!! Breaking News Update Included !!!!
叙利亚—阿萨德计划国外杀害



News fom Al-Jazeera, Arabic service, on August 10, 2012:

Regarding the current situation in Syria, no independent source is able to confirm or exclude all claims of the fighting parties. However, there are hints from activists of the Free Army, based on intercepted radio traffic and saying that some government units are holding their position even though being urged by their superiors to advance.

معارك مستمرة و تظاهرات في حلب و دمشق في جمعة سلحونا بمضادات الطائرات

Continued battles and demonstrations in Aleppo and Damascus as well as anti-aircraft [fire] [were reported] on Friday.

[Editor's note: The Arabic text includes a vulgar expression for the aircraft related shootings.]

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Al-Jazeera evening news on August 11, 2012:


Hadi Al-Abdallah, spokesman for the People's Committee of the Syrian Revolution, reporting from Homs (above).

ناشطون: الجيش النظامي السوري يقتحم حي الشماس في حمص بعد قصفه بالمدفعية

[Activists] say that Syrian government troops are forcing their way into the Al-Shamaas quarter of Homs after its shelling with artillery.

[Editor's note: According to its name which means "diacon's quarter", that neighbourhood of Homs might possibly host a Christian community.]

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Al-Jazeera evening news on August 12, 2012:


The local committees of coordination say that 110 died in Syria today, most of them in Homs, Idlib and Daraa.


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Syria related news from Lebanon by Al-Jazeera, August 10:


As to the arrest of Lebanon's former minister Michel Samaha by Lebanese security the day before, there is a comment available from the pro-Iranian pro-Assad party Hezbollah that makes part of the "March 8 coalition" including Samaha who is known as a decided pro-Assad politician in Lebanon.

Michel Samaha:


النائب عن حزب الله اللبناني محمد رعد يصف توقيف ميشال سماحة بأنه مجرد فبركات أمنية

The [second man] in Lebanon's Hezbolla, Mohammad Raad, classifies the arrest of Michel Samaha as an abstract fabrication of [state] security.



MP Mohammad Raad, leader of the Hezbollah Loyalty to the Resistance bloc in Lebanon's parliament (above).


Breaking News from August 11 / 12
quoting "The Daily Star, Lebanon"



BEIRUT: Judge Sami Sader indicted former Information Minister Michel Samaha and Syrian National Security Bureau head Ali Mamlouk Saturday for plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon and carry out terrorist attacks.

The indictment also included a Syrian army officer identified as Brig. Gen. Adnan.

Sader, the government’s deputy commissioner at the Military Tribunal, also charged the three men with creating an armed group aimed at undermining the authority and prestige of the state.

Additionally, he accused them of planning to incite sectarian clashes through terrorist attacks with explosives that Samaha transported to Lebanon and stored after taking possession of them from Mamlouk and Adnan.

The indictment also charged the three men with working with Syria’s intelligence to carry out aggression against Lebanon. Samaha was also accused of possessing weapons without a license.

A judicial source told The Daily Star that the charges, if proven, could lead to the defendants being sentenced to hard labor or death.

Sader referred the case to Military Judge Riad Abu Ghida, who will pursue the investigation and question Samaha.

Earlier in the day, Acting State Prosecutor Samir Hammoud referred Samaha's case to the Military Tribunal following a preliminary investigation by the Internal Security Forces' Information Branch.

Meanwhile, a senior security official told The Daily Star Friday that the evidence against Samaha is compelling and includes incriminating video footage.

“The case against Samaha constitutes a clear and irrefutable condemnation, following his confessions of involvement in the transportation of explosives from Syria to Lebanon for use in terrorist attacks in areas in the north,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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"Al-Bawaba" added on August 12:


Former Lebanese information minister Michel Samaha was not aware that the plotting of attacks against Christians with orders from the Syrian regime was being recorded by a spy pen camera carried by a Lebanese security agent who was in regular contact with Samaha, the Lebanese daily Assafir reported on Saturday.


العدل اساس الملك
Justice - The Foundation of Power

[Inscription in a building hosting the Military Court in Beirut]

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Additional news on Syria from People's Network, Beijing, August 5:

叙利亚化学武库三大杀手

Syria's store of chemical weapons
includes the "Three Great Killers".


美国中央情报局认为,叙利亚化学武器中数量最大的当属神经性毒气——沙林。

America's CIA considers Syria to keep great amounts of the nerve gas Sarin among its chemical weapons.


The Chinese article essentially describes the special character of Sarin and the damage it inflicts on the human body. Furthermore, its application in grenades and missile warheads is mentioned.




Another blogspot on Japan's Territorial Claims has been updated today. To learn more about actual development of that matter, please click to the above link !

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Syria - Increased Activity


UPDATE for August 8 / 9 inserted further down !


An opinion poll by Al-Jazeera's Arabic service provided the folllowing results:

هل تعتقد ان النظام السوري يسعى لتقسيم سوريا ؟

Do you think that Syria's regime is trying to divide Syria ?

Yes: 85.8%

No: 14.2%

Number of participants: 19.985


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News of the Day (August 7, 2012):


مراسل الجزيرة في حلب: قوات الجيش السوري الحر تقتحم مبنيي الأمن الجنائي و الجيش الشعبي في حلب

Al-Jazeera's reporter in Aleppo: Free Syrian Army forces are attacking a building of the [National] Security's Crimes [Squad] and the People's Army in Aleppo.


مراسل الجزيرة: الجيش النظامي السوري يقصف بالطائرات و الدبابات عدة أحياء في مدينة حلب

Al-Jazeera's reporter: Troops of the Syrian regime are shelling several quarters in the town of Aleppo, using planes and tanks.


On the subject of 48 alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guards, being held prisoners by the Free Syrian Army, Tehran has increased its diplomatic activity:


الأسد يقول عقب لقائه مبعوث خامنئي إن دمشق مصممة على تطهير البلاد من الإرهابيين

Assad says at the end of his meeting with an envoy of Khamenei (*) that Damascus is decided to "clean" the country from "terrorists".


* = The Iranian diplomat Jalili is the special envoy of Ayatollah Khamenei mentioned by Assad.

It is only recently that Iran had asked Turkey to act as a mediator in favour of the release of its citizens captured in Syria. Now, it seems that Turkey was again confronted with Iranian accusations about its position in the Syrian crisis:

تركيا تشجب اتهامات إيرانية لها بالمسؤولية عن استمرار العنف و تاجيج الأزمة في سوريا

Turkey condemns Iranian accusations of being responsible for continued violence and reviving the crisis in Syria.


Political Background: Turkey - Iran

On Tuesday, August 7, Iran's foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi paid a snap visit to Ankara for a meeting with his counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu. Referring to the case of 48 "abducted pilgrims" he said:
"Turkey has links with the opposition in Syria, so we think Turkey can play a major role in freeing our pilgrims."

Turkey has repeatedly denied Iranian allegations that it is arming the rebels. Turkey and Iran are at the opposite ends of the Syrian crisis. Ankara has been at the forefront of international criticism against the Damascus regime's deadly response to the popular uprising, while Tehran is one of Assad's few allies.


Defected Syrian PM Riad Hijab coming to a rest in his new environment (above).

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UPDATE for August 8, 2012:

Al-Arabiya reported on August 8 the story of a Russian general, Vladimir Kuchev [فلاديمير كوجييف], who fell into the hands of the rebels:

جنرال روسي ينفي مقتله على يد الجيش الحر

Russian general in the hands of the Free Army is denying his [participation] in battle.

الثوار أكدوا أنه يعمل مستشاراً لوزير الدفاع السوري

The rebels confirmed that he was an adviser to the Syrian minister of defence.


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UPDATE for August 9, 2012:

The following news are quoted from Al-Arabiya Online.

انشقاق رئيس المراسم في القصر الجمهوري السوري

Defection of the head of protocol in the Palace of the Syrian Republic.

الجيش الحر: محي الدين المسلمانية في مكان آمن وستحدث انشقاقات مهمة الأيام القادمة

According to the Free Army, [Machi al-Din al-Maslamaniya] is in a secure place and [further] essential defections are being expected for the next days.


Defected Head of Protocol
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Related News from Lebanon by Al-Jazeera on August 9, 2012:


توقيف ميشال سماحة جاء بناء على إشارة من القضاء اللبناني

Apprehension of Michel Samaha [at his home] because of instruction by Lebanon's judiciary.

ميشيل سماحة يعتبر من أبرز و جود قوى 8 من آذار المتحالفة مع النظامين السوري و الإيراني و مقرب من الرئيس السوري

Michel Samaha is considered having promoted and [done his best to encourage] a collaboration of the March 8 [coalition] with both regimes in Syria and Iran. [Furthermore, he is considered] being familiar with the Syrian president.



Background Information:
Michel Samaha is a former Lebanese minister of the so-called March 8 coalition that includes the influential Hezbollah (God's Party) which allegedly maintains strong ties with Iran. According to General Prosecutor Samir Hammoud, Samaha should have been arrested for security reasons. Al-Jazeera's video is showing the broken door of his home and his shocked family that is now expected to call for mass demonstrations of pro-Hezbollah groups if Michel Samaha is not released until Friday.
[Source: Press TV and Al-Jazeera]




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