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Morsi Moves Quickly in Aftermath of Terrorist Attack, Fires Intel Chief
Newly-elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has struck quickly at both terrorists responsible for an attack that left 16 of his soldiers dead and at those who failed to prevent the deadly assault. On Wednesday, air force jets flew and fired missiles at suspected terrorist hideouts in a village in the Sinai Peninsula, the first action involving air support since the 1973 war against Israel. Later, Morsi sacked the heads of both the military police and presidential guard along with the governor of the northern Sinai and a number of officials in the Interior Ministry. Observers see Morsi’s moves as messages sent in a number of directions: to the military council that governed from the fall of Hosni Mubarak through the recent presidential election; to the Egyptian people; and to international capitals.
National Intelligence Estimate Backs Israel’s Read on Iranian Nuclear Readiness
A recently-issued National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) supports Israel’s contention that Iran is closer to being able to construct a nuclear weapon than was previously believed. The Israeli daily Haaretz quotes Western diplomats as characterizing Tehran’s progress as “surprising” and “significant,” specifically in regard to the military aspects of Iran’s nuclear development program. The report, which was compiled by a joint team headed by James Clapper, President Obama’s Director of National Intelligence, was described by the newspaper as containing conclusions that are “quite similar” to those of Israeli intelligence. The Americans and Israelis have been divided over whether the tipping point to activating the military option comes when the Iranians have the pieces for a nuclear weapon at hand or, as the Israelis insist, before Iran gets that far. It is not known whether or how the new NIE will affect the US view.
Western Diplomats Join Palestinian Officials at Site of Villages Targeted for Israeli Bases
Palestinian officials were joined by 15 senior European Union diplomats on Wednesday in a show of solidarity at villages slated to be taken by eminent domain for construction of Israeli military training bases. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad told representatives of the European Union that the only conclusion to be drawn is that the underlying purpose of the Israeli move is to “evacuate Palestinians from their land.” He argued that Israel’s need for the land was caused by expansion of the Jewish communities located on land Israel acquired in the 1967 war, land that the Palestinians claim for an eventual state. The land in question falls in what the 1993 Oslo Accords designate as “Area C” – land over which Israel maintains both civil and security control. But the EU diplomats told reporters they believe Israel will not carry out the evacuation orders.
On-again, Off-again Arafat Investigation to Proceed with New Autopsy
The probe into the death of Yassir Arafat is apparently continuing, with word from the chief investigator that a Swiss forensic expert has been invited to perform a new autopsy. Speculation began when the Al-Jazeera network, acting on behalf of Arafat’s widow, sent the late leader’s personal items to the Swiss Institute for Radiation Physics which determined there were traces of polonium-210. The report triggered new accusations that Arafat had been murdered, some pointing fingers at Israel and some at Arafat’s Palestinian opponents. The indecision over whether to pursue the investigation led to further accusations of a cover-up. Critics point out that a determination that Arafat was poisoned won’t prove who was responsible. Arafat died in a French military hospital in 2004. A spokesman for the Swiss laboratory told the Reuters news agency on Wednesday that it will only participate if it is guaranteed the results will not be used for political purposes.
US Administration Reportedly Asked Palestinians to Hold-off UN Gambit Until After Election
Speaking on Voice of Palestine radio on Wednesday, PLO Executive Committee member Saleh Raafat alleged that the American administration has asked Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to delay the quest for elevated status and recognition by the United Nations until after the presidential election in November. Claiming the UN gambit is the only course left open to the Palestinian people because of Israel’s refusal to meet preconditions for a return to negotiations, Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malki said President Abbas will return to Turtle Bay in the fall and ask the General Assembly to grant the status of non-member state, a designation that would provide the PA with standing in the International Criminal Court where it is expected to bring scores of cases accusing Israelis of war crimes. The Arab League has not yet signed-off on the UN campaign.
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