dagblog - Comments for ""We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests.""

UKRAINE LECTURED ABOUT LOOSE

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:24:39 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

UKRAINE LECTURED ABOUT LOOSE POLICIES WITH WMD MATERIAL & OTHER WEAPONS:

Van Diepen complains about the sale of potential ballistic missile parts to Iran
cable sent 09 November 2009, 12:05
S E C R E T KYIV 001942

artappraiser's note:

the Guardian's title misleading. It's not just about Iran, it also says things like

.....Van Diepen then said that the United States was extremely disappointed by this unwelcome news of an MTCR Category I transfer to Saudi Arabia....

A principal purpose of the MTCR is to prevent the transfer of MTCR Category I items to non-MTCR countries. Van Diepen further noted that he understood that Ukraine had previously notified MTCR Partners of an MTCR Category I transfer to India, to which the U.S. objected but Ukraine transferred the items anyway. He stated that the India case was the first time that an MTCR Partner had gone ahead with a transfer when objections were made by another Partner. If Ukraine were to transfer Category I items to Saudi Arabia, that would be yet another unfortunate precedent....

and

...Ukraine said it is no longer exporting weapons to Burma, and claimed not to have exported T-72 tanks to South Sudan despite U.S. satellite photos to the contrary.....

and

...Ukraine had assured us the arms were for the Government of Kenya. Ukraine had informed the U.S. that it had received an end-user certificate from the Kenyan government and receipts acknowledging the arrival of the earlier tank shipment in Kenya. Subsequent to our discussions, the M/V Faina, which was carrying another weapons shipment from Ukraine, was hijacked, and it became clear that cargo was also intended for South Sudan. Van Diepen asked if the GOU had investigated.....

HEZBOLLAH & HAMASSyria denies

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:08:49 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

HEZBOLLAH & HAMAS

Syria denies supplying ballistic missiles to Hizbullah
Cable sent 25/02/2010
S E C R E T DAMASCUS 000168

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/250758

Assad pressed over Lebanese rockets
6 Dec 2010: Cable sent 26/02/2010
S E C R E T STATE 017894 '

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/250891

Israel urges US to halt Scud missiles for Hezbollah
Cable sent 22/02/2010
S E C R E T TEL AVIV 000414

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/249979

US urges action on Iran-Syria weapons
Cable sent 17/03/2009
S E C R E T STATE 024945

Guardian summary: State Department warns Jordan and Egypt to block Tehran military equipment for Hamas in Gaza. Planned flights should be ordered to land for inspection or denied overflight rights. Diplomats to emphasise UN resolution 1747 states Iran shall not supply, sell or transfer directly or indirectly any arms. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/197157

Clinton asks Sudan to block Iranian arms supplies to Hamas
Cable sent 22/01/2009
S E C R E T STATE 005567

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/188172

Sudan accuses US of desert bombing raid
Cable sent 24/02/2009
S E C R E T KHARTOUM 000249

Guardian summary: Khartoum protests that American planes hit alleged Hamas arms convoys in two mysterious incidents with 88 dead. US charge d'affaires summoned to hear condemnation and demand clarification. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

Read related article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/06/wikileaks-sudan-iranian-arms...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/193515

Egypt 'succeeding' in blocking Iran
Cable sent 30/04/2009
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 000746

Guardian summary: US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen told by Egyptian
intelligence chief Omar Soliman that his overarching goal was combating radicalism in Gaza, Iran, and Sudan. Soliman warns that Iran 'must pay a price' for its actions. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/204990

Lebanon uncovered 'Iranian-funded' Hizbullah communications network
Cable sent 16 April 2008, 16:42
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIRUT 000523

..."Iran Telecom is taking over the country!" were the first words out of the mouth of Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh when he met with Charge and Econoff on April 16. He was referring to the discovery of a complete fiber optic system (FiOS) installed by Hizballah throughout Lebanon - reftel....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/150105

Saudi prince urges need for 'security response' to Hezbollah threat in Lebanon
Cable sent 14/05/2008
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000768

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/153797

Israel warns of reprisals against Lebanon in case of rocket attacks
Cable sent 18/06/2009
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 001324

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/212752

Hezbollah man's murder fuels fear and loathing in Damascus
Cable sent 28/02/2008
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 DAMASCUS 000146

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/143458

Israel fears Hezbollah retaliation after assassination of militant leader
Cable sent 29/01/2010
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000096

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/246280

SYRIASyrian spy chief's

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:51:58 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

SYRIA

Syrian spy chief's surprise appearance at US talks
Cable sent Wednesday, 24 February 2010, 14:08
S E C R E T DAMASCUS 000159

Guardian summary: General Ali Mamlouk of Syria's feared general intelligence directorate arrived unannounced at a meeting between the top US counter-terrorism official Daniel Benjamin and deputy foreign minister Faisal Miqdad. The Syrians emphasised Syrian-Iraqi border security as an area for cooperation but urged an easing of sanctions against them. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

....MAMLOUK DESCRIBES GID'S METHODS

6. (S/NF) The GID Director said Syria had been more successful than the U.S. and other countries in the region in fighting terrorist groups because "we are practical and not theoretical." He stated Syria's success is due to its penetration of terrorist groups. "In principle, we don't attack or kill them immediately. Instead, we embed ourselves in them and only at the opportune moment do we move." Describing the process of planting embeds in terrorist organizations as "complex," Mamlouk said the result had yielded been the detention of scores of terrorists, stamping out terror cells, and stopping hundreds of terrorists from entering Iraq. Mamlouk acknowledged some terrorists were still slipping into Iraq from Syria. "By all means we will continue to do all this, but if we start cooperation with you it will lead to better results and we can better protect our interests," he concluded.

7. (S/NF) According to Mamlouk, Syria's previous experience in cooperating with the U.S. on intelligence "was not a happy one." He stated Syria hoped any future cooperation would be "on an equal basis." Mamlouk specified this meant Syria should be allowed to "take the lead" on anti-terrorism efforts. Alluding to the "wealth of information" Syria has obtained while penetrating terrorist groups, Mamlouk declared "we have a lot of experience and know these groups. This is our area, and we know it. We are on the ground, and so we should take the lead."

POSSIBLE COOPERATION ON IRAQ

8. (S/NF) Mamlouk identified Iraqi border security as an area where Syria and the U.S. could cooperate....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/250462

Strains show in Iran-Syria ties
Cable sent 22/12/2009
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 DAMASCUS 000880

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/241053

Retaliation planned after Iran jammed BBC broadcasts
5 Dec 2010: Cable sent 04/02/2010
S E C R E T LONDON 000257

Guardian summary: Walid Jumblatt, the veteran Druze politician, tells US diplomats of concerns about the role of the UN security council, border questions and advises on how to "intimidate Syria." Hizbullah's fiber optic telecoms network is also alarming the Beirut government. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

....When asked how the USG could best support Lebanon at this juncture, Jumblatt said he was pleased to see the USG's recent public statements on Syria's efforts to build nuclear weapons. Jumblatt half-jokingly said that the U.S. should now send the USS Nimitz to intimidate Syria.....

Jumblatt said the Special Tribunal was "not enough" to intimidate Syria. Rizk chimed in to acknowledge that work on the Special Tribunal was "frightening to Syria until recently." Both agreed that Syrian President Bashar Assad won't care about the Tribunal in a year's time. Rizk repeated his concerns that UNIIIC Commissioner Daniel Bellemare had stated to some that he "has no case." Rizk said the U.S. can help by directing Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to ask the UN SYG to impress upon Bellemare the importance of his role as prosecutor for the Tribunal.

...Rizk pointed out that Bellemare should not be disassociating UNIIIC from the detention of the four generals suspected of involvement in Rafiq Hariri's assassination because the blame then falls squarely on XXXXXXXXXXXX...

...Meanwhile, in a separate conversation on Hizballah's progress in establishing a fiber optic network, Siniora's senior advisor Mohammed Chatah told Charge that the network was yet another example of Hizballah's many infringements against the state. The network could thus not be separated from Hizballah's military activities....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/247209

ANTI-PALESTINIANISM IN

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:47:22 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

ANTI-PALESTINIANISM IN JORDAN

Anti-Palestinian chants mar Jordanian soccer match

Tuesday, 28 July 2009, 14:27
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001689

Guardian summary: Hooliganism at a July 2009 game between Palestinian Al-Wahdat fans and Jordanian Al-Faysali fans saw Faisali fans chanting slogans against Palestinian-origin Queen Rania. Slogans at the fixture are a popular barometer of tensions between East Bankers and Palestinians. Some Faisali fans threw bottles at Wahdat players and their fans. The match was cancelled. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

....The connection between this rift and the Hashemite monarchy, including the newly-appointed Crown Prince, makes the incident even more unsettling....The King's silence on the game and its political implications is deafening.....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/218464

AL QAEDAUS requests Sahel

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:40:13 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

AL QAEDA

US requests Sahel surveillance flights
Cable sent 30/12/2009
S E C R E T ALGIERS 001162

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/242130

Algerians take lead in regional fight against al-Qaida
Cable sent 25/10/2009
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ALGIERS 000948

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/231198

Al-Qaida in the Maghreb's deadly blows
Cable sent 20/12/2007
S E C R E T ALGIERS 001809

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/135155

Terrorists damage Bouteflika's credibility
Cable sent 22/02/2008
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ALGIERS 000198

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/142554

TERRORIST

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:34:43 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

TERRORIST FUNDING

Taliban/Haqqani fundraisers sneaking into Saudi Arabia
Cable sent 11/01/2010
S E C R E T RIYADH 000061

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/243038

Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network using United Arab Emirates as funding base
Cable sent 07/01/2010

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/242756

Hillary Clinton says Saudi Arabia 'a critical source of terrorist funding'
Cable sent 30/12/2009
S E C R E T STATE 131801

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/242073

Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists raise funds in Saudi Arabia
Cable sent 10/08/2009
S E C R E T STATE 083026

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/220186

Terrorists use hajj as cover to collect donations
Cable sent 29/05/2009
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000716

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/209234

United Arab Emirates and terrorist funding – the Pashtun connection
Cable sent 02/09/2009
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 000874

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/223330

UAE urged to do more about terror cash couriers
Cable sent 05/11/2007
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001838

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/128665

POLAND, BALTICS WANT STRONG

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:25:28 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

POLAND, BALTICS WANT STRONG U.S. PROTECTION

Warsaw calls for stronger US presence in Poland
Cable sent 22/02/2010
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 000110

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/250013

Poland wanted operational Patriot missiles, not 'potted plants'
Cable sent 13/02/2009
S E C R E T WARSAW 000170

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/192114

Washington tells Warsaw to be 'realistic' on Patriot missiles
Cable sent 10/02/2010
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 000094

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/248162

Pentagon tells Warsaw missile shield adaptable to 'hypothetical' threats
Cable sent 12/11/2009
S E C R E T WARSAW 001139

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/234255

Baltic blueprint just the beginning of Nato rethink
Cable sent 26/01/2010
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 007810

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/245631

Poland sceptical over Baltic defence plan
Cable sent 18/12/2009
S E C R E T WARSAW 001228

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/240630

US plans to defend eastern Europe against Russia
Cable sent 22/01/2010

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/244966

US embassy cables: Latvia welcomes expansion of Baltic defence plan
Cable sent 15/12/2009
S E C R E T RIGA 000594

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/239993

Estonians welcome Nato plan for eastern Europe
Cable sent 16/12/2009
S E C R E T TALLINN 000373

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/240146

Germany behind Nato proposal for Baltic states, says US
Cable sent 16/12/2009
S E C R E T USNATO 000588

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/240187

CHINAEconomic factors were

artappraiser — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:19:29 +0000

In reply to "We decry what has happened. These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests."

CHINA

Economic factors were expected to 'test' US-China relationship in 2010
Cable sent 28/01/2010
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 07 BEIJING 000231

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/245929

Chinese bemoan 'terrible' trade conflicts
Cable sent 16/11/2009
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 003122

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/234830

Hillary Clinton ponders US relationship with its Chinese 'banker'
(with RUDD/AUSTRALIA)
Cable sent 28/03/2009
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 030049

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/199393

British diplomat describes UK-China economy summit as 'a bloody disaster'
Cable sent 12/06/2009
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 BEIJING 001582

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/211724

China's next leader reveals taste for Hollywood movies
Cable sent 19 March 2007, 10:39
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 07 BEIJING 001840

Guardian summary: The cable relates a dinner conversation between America's ambassador to China and Xi Jinping, expected to be the next president when Hu Jintao stands down at the end of his term. After discussion of economic development in various provinces, the conversation turns to the movies. The relevant passage, in paragraph 22, is highlighted in yellow.

[....]

22. (C) The Ambassador also asked Secretary Xi about his recent movie viewing, recalling that Xi had told him in their meeting one year ago that he had recently seen and tremendously enjoyed "Saving Private Ryan." Had Secretary Xi seen other recent American movies that he had enjoyed? Xi replied that he already owns the "Flags of Our Fathers" DVD, but hopes to view it during the Lunar New Year holidays had gone unfulfilled. He had seen and enjoyed "The Departed." Xi said he particularly likes Hollywood movies about World War II and hopes Hollywood will continue to make them. Hollywood makes those movies well, and such Hollywood movies are grand and truthful. Americans have a clear outlook on values and clearly demarcate between good and evil. In American movies, good usually prevails. In contrast, "Curse of the Golden Flower," a recently popular Chinese movie directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li (she of "Miami Vice" movie stardom) had been confusing to Xi. Some Chinese moviemakers neglect values they should promote.

23. (C) America is a powerful nation in terms of culture because Americans say what they should say, Xi elaborated. Too many Chinese moviemakers cater to foreigners' interests or preconceptions, sometimes vulgarly so. He criticized Zhang Yimou by name as well as the kungfu action movie genre. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Wu Ji" and imperial palace intrigues -- all are the same, talking about bad things in imperial palaces. Most are not nominated for Oscars or other awards, so to some extent it can be said that such movies are not worth very much. The Ambassador noted that a Chinese film about HIV/AIDS orphans had just garnered the Oscar for best short documentary. Xi expressed awareness of the movie, noting that the director is a female overseas Chinese (but Xi never said whether he had seen that documentary). Xi recalled that a low cost, very good Chinese movie by the director Jia Zhangke had recently won a Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival. Returning to "Flags of Our Fathers," Xi said he had come to understand that the flag raising on Iwo Jima did not mark the end of the battle. The Japanese were still in holes and caves and the battle continued. He expressed particular admiration for WWII movies set in the Pacific theater of operations and expressed a strong desire to visit Guadalcanal.

[....]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/100934

Rising star of Chinese communist party reveals personal crusade against corruption
Cable sent 15 March 2007, 10:24
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 001760

Guardian summary: Over dinner at the US ambassador's residence, Li Keqiang, tipped to replace Wen Jiabao as prime minister of China, explains that corruption is what most incenses the Chinese public. He describes his own approach to eradicating it. The key passage, in paragraph six, is picked out in yellow

[...]

Although Liaoning residents are dissatisfied with education, health care and housing issues, it is corruption that makes them most angry, Li told the Ambassador. The most effective way to combat official graft is to create a transparent system of rules and adequate supervision that leaves corrupt officials no room to act. This is the method Liaoning employed to manage the vast sums spent on its massive slum relocation project. Once a corrupt official is discovered, he is promptly punished, which provides a good lesson to bureaucrats taking up new posts. The province has also increased efforts to "strictly educate" public officials, Li said. Part of this education involves prison tours that force bureaucrats to visit incarcerated officials convicted of graft in order to witness first hand the consequences of malfeasance.

[....]

Rule of Law

-----------

8. (C) China has made great progress in improving its legal system and implementing the rule of law, said Li, who has a degree in law. On the other hand, given that the rule of law has a short history in China, the country still has a long way to go in "perfecting" its legal system. The concept of ruling the country according to law is increasingly becoming rooted in the minds of the people, and there is a recognition that relying on the law allows the government to do its work better and more efficiently. At the same time, the government must cope with the challenges of implementing and following the laws passed by the people's congresses.

[....]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/100498

WikiLeaks cables: 'Aggressive' China losing friends around the world

Britain, India and Japan complain of Beijing's diplomatic 'muscle-flexing', while Africans talk of coercion in aid-for-resources deals

By Ewan MacAskill, guardian.co.uk, Saturday 4 December 2010 21.30

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/04/wikileaks-embassy-cables-dip...

Below Surface, U.S. Has Dim

artappraiser — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:26:00 +0000

In reply to RUSSIAMoscow mayor oversees

Below Surface, U.S. Has Dim View of Putin and Russia

By C. J. CHIVERS, New York Times, Dec. 1-2, 2010

The United States harbors a low view of the Russian leaders and little hope that Russia will become more democratic or reliable.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/world/europe/02wikileaks-russia.html

(This is a very good overview of all the cables on Russia; Chivers is nearly always excellent on his specialty, Russia and the former SSRS.)

Embracing Georgia, U.S.

artappraiser — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:59:35 +0000

In reply to GEORGIA WAR#US embassy

Embracing Georgia, U.S. Misread Signs of Rifts

By C. J. CHIVERS, New York Times, Dec. 1-2, 2010

....The Tbilisi cables, part of more than a quarter-million cables made available to news organizations by WikiLeaks, display some of the perils of a close relationship.

The cables show that for several years, as Georgia entered an escalating contest with the Kremlin for the future of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway enclaves out of Georgian control that received Russian support, Washington relied heavily on the Saakashvili government’s accounts of its own behavior. In neighboring countries, American diplomats often maintained their professional distance, and privately detailed their misgivings of their host governments. In Georgia, diplomats appeared to set aside skepticism and embrace Georgian versions of important and disputed events.

By 2008, as the region slipped toward war, sources outside the Georgian government were played down or not included in important cables. Official Georgian versions of events were passed to Washington largely unchallenged.

The last cables before the eruption of the brief Russian-Georgian war showed an embassy relaying statements that would with time be proved wrong....

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/world/europe/02wikileaks-georgia.html