“Renewed Hope for Afghan Pipeline”

That’s the headline from today’s Asia Times, essential reading for South and Central Asia watchers.

Some highlights:

Renewed hope for Afghan pipeline

By Raouf Liwal

KABUL – Prospects for the trans-Afghan pipeline seem good, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) indicating that it is set to launch a preliminary report on the US$2 billion project linking the vast gas field in Turkmenistan to Pakistan, through Afghanistan.

The earlier contenders for the project, first mooted in the 1990s, were US oil and gas company Unocal and its Argentinean rival Bridas. Both had initially agreed to pay $300 million to Afghanistan per annum as premium for using the land. But in December 1998, Unocal said it was withdrawing from the Central Asia Gas (CentGas) pipeline consortium for business reasons and would no longer have any role in supporting the development or funding of this project. Bridas, too, withdrew from the project, analysts suggest for security reasons. But now, according to insiders, there are strong indications that Unocal could be favored by Afghan officials to return to the venture, though the company’s role is not exactly clear in the ADB-led project.

Half of the 1,800-kilometer pipeline will pass through Afghan territory to supply gas from the Dawlatabad city of Turkmenistan to Gawadar Port of Pakistan. The trans-Afghan pipeline has been one of the most controversial issues among Western politicians, investors and major world gas companies, including Unocal and Bridas, since 1995.

ADB officials say the primary plan of the project will soon be released. Engineer Mandokhil, an advisor to the mines and industries ministry, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “ADB’s technical and economic study will be completed and the three countries involved in the project – Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan – will hold a meeting in Islamabad at the end of November. The final results will be announced then.” Gul Ahmad Kamali, head of the energy and road projects with the ADB, said his organization’s part in the pipeline project was to assess the facilities, provide technical advisors, and conduct surveys.

Oil analysts in the region say whoever takes the project will reap millions of dollars each year from the venture. But Afghanistan’s security has been a major concern for investors. Mandokhil added that should India participate in the project, it will give more momentum to regional business.

Turkmenistan, the world’s biggest producer of gas, is desperate to get its huge gas reserves out to the market and boost its weak economy by presenting its energy supplies to South and Central Asian countries. The trans-Afghanistan pipeline will first go to Pakistan’s Gawadar Port of Pakistan and then to India. The gas will then be transferred to Bangkok through ships.

Hakim Taniwal, the former mines and industries minister, now minister of employment and social affairs, told Pajhwok that the three partners discussed the pipeline’s security at the seventh meeting in Islamabad, as well as India’s role in the project.

Engineer Nazar Mohammad Mangal, acting minister of mines and industry, said the pipeline would give Afghanistan the opportunity to get involved in regional development and economic projects. “I’ve just returned from India, where I attended a conference of South Asian Energy [SAE]. Afghanistan joined SAE in this conference, so the windows of hope are open for us,” Mangal said.

Salam Azemi, a former Unocal advisor, said the project was very important for Afghanistan in terms of economic and regional benefits and would provide jobs for many Afghans. Afrasyab Khattak, a Pakistan-based regional analyst, said the project would benefit both Afghanistan and Pakistan, despite past hiccups. “Our region is very backward in economic development. This project will benefit our nation tremendously. Though improper rivalry and some initial problems had impeded the business, it’s a good time to seize the initiative,” Khattak said.

The revised scheme, apart from the $300 million annual income, should pave the way for extension of a railway alongside the pipeline, provide jobs to thousands of Afghans, distribute free gas to the areas through which the pipeline passes, and should ensure construction of electricity and road facilities in these areas. Azemi says Pakistan-India relations should improve and the Kashmir dispute settled before the project comes into effect.

I Hate Being Right

A few days ago, U.S. and Iraqi collaborationist militia stormed a Baghdad mosque, trashing the joint. I called that entry “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”

Here’s today AP update:

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A U.S.-Iraqi raid on the Abu Hanifa mosque — one of the most revered sites for Sunni Muslims — spawned a weekend of street battles, assassinations and a rash of bombings that changed Baghdad. The capital, for months a city of unrelenting but sporadic violence, has taken on the look of a battlefield. The chaos has fanned sectarian tension and deepened Sunni distrust of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a Shiite installed by the Americans five months ago. It has also heightened the anxiety of the city’s 6 million people — already worn down by years of sanctions and tyranny, then war, military occupation, crime and deprivation.

“Baghdad is now a battlefield and we are in the middle of it,” said Qasim al-Sabti, an artist who kept his children home from school Saturday, which is a work day in Iraq. When he sent his children back to school Sunday, the teachers didn’t show up.

In a sign of public unease, merchants in the outdoor markets, where most people buy their meat, vegetables and household supplies, say crowds are below normal. Many shops near sites of car bombings have closed. Adding to the sense of unease, U.S. military helicopters have begun flying lower over the city. The distant roar of jets has become a fixture of Baghdad at night. The latest escalation appeared to have been triggered by a U.S.-Iraqi raid Friday on the Abu Hanifa mosque in the Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah as worshippers were leaving after midday prayers. Witnesses said three people were killed, and 40 were arrested.

The next day, heavy street fighting erupted in Azamiyah between U.S. and Iraqi forces and Sunni insurgents who tried to storm a police station. The fighting, involving mortars, rocket propelled grenades and roadside bombs, raged for several hours and left several stores ablaze, according to witnesses.

Almost simultaneously, clashes broke out in at least five other Baghdad neighborhoods. In all, at least 10 people, including one American soldier, were killed throughout the capital Saturday. Lt. Col. James Hutton, spokesman for the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, which is in charge of security in Baghdad, acknowledged that there has been an increase in insurgent activity in the capital. But he linked the increase to the fighting in Fallujah, where U.S. troops are still fighting pockets of resistance after recapturing the city last week, rather than the raid on the Abu Hanifa mosque.

I’m just a cartoonist and writer sitting on my ass in front of a computer. Maybe because I’ve spent a little time in the Middle East and talk to Muslims, I saw this one coming.

Why didn’t the Pentagon?

FYI

I now accept PayPal for original artwork, books, etc.

Ted Rall on Air America Monday Morning

I’ll be a guest on Air America’s “Unfiltered” with Lizz Winstead, Chuck D and Rachel Maddow on Monday morning, at about 11:30 am East Coast time. The topic will be–what else?–censorship by the media. Case study: The Washington Post. But there will be, I’m told, other things to talk about as well. Set your RCRs!

For those who live in Jesusland, you may livestream Air America online through their website.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Today’s Mail

Alex writes the Good:

I read your column religiously every week. Who says the Left isn’t devout?

No journalist better articulates my hopes and fears about this beautiful country. Your writing has inspired me, and made me a better citizen. Armed with information and emotion from your work (and other progressive sources), I have spent the last few years engaging people in discussion whenever I can. Like loving and responsible parents owe it to their children to teach them right from wrong and let them know when they make mistakes, patriotic citizens owe it to their country and their leaders to do the same, and your writing plays a pivotal role in galvanizing this effort. While the mainstream media rewards passivity and complacency, your writing inspires action and commitment.

When this wonderful nation behaves like a drunk driver, the mainstream media behaves like the bad friend who jumps gingerly into the passenger seat, while you try to do what a true friend should and take away the keys — and yet it is responsible and progressive citizens such as you and I who get called “un-American” when we are the only ones actually trying to save America.

I was shocked to read about WashingtonPost.com’s recent actions where you are concerned. I have already written them to express my total dismay. As I said in my letter to them, it is nothing short of shameful that they would dismiss their most intelligent, well-researched, courageous socio-political commentator, in the midst of the most censorship-heavy and repressive period in recent media history.

Ted, you have my unconditional support and gratitude, for everything you have done and continue to do for our great land.

If there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know.

As I wrote below, I do have regrets about the cartoon that prompted the Post’s (heavyhanded) decision. But Alex understands what I’m trying to do, conveying it perfectly with his DWI analogy. When this country that I adore goes off the rails, yielding to its worst impulses, it’s the duty of patriotic Americans to speak up, to try to get us back on the straight and narrow.

Frequent correspondent Izzy writes:

My general feeling is, what the hell is the point at this stage.

I’ve spent most of my waking hours since Nov. 3 feeling physically sick and trying not to scream. I don’t see any way out of this. Friend of mine says it’s time to just let go of the wheel put the car in the ditch (metaphorically, scene from fight Club comes to mind…) and then go on from there. Considering the last few years, and the exponential growth in horror that we all expect to see (and are already seeing) from BushCo, what answer is there??? The game is rigged… There’s no way out. As the Good Doctor (Hunter Thompson) says, “We are as doomed as shithouse rats”. My signature line use to be, “Keep the faith” or “March or Die”. Too late…

Yes, things seem grim. Things are grim. Our country is in the hands of a stupid, vicious dictator. He’s already started sabre-rattling against Iran–talk of “regime change” is already being bandied about in D.C. We, the United States, run an extensive system of concentration camps around the world where thousands of innocent people are being tortured by our own government employees. Bushism is neofascism minus the cool uniforms.

The United States, not to mention the world, have been in far worse situations–and we’ve survived, even gotten better. It is our duty not to give up or give in, but to keep on fighting. This is all the more true when the situation looks bad. After all, do you want to be like the “fans” of a losing baseball team who only show up to cheer at the stadium when there’s a chance of winning? Any liberal asshole can work to get rid of the Repugnicants when, as occured before November 2, we had a good chance of expelling them. What takes genuine commitment is to keep fighting now. Chin up, Izzy. And don’t go to Canada unless they start rounding us up too.

MIKENOMGI@aol.com writes:

You’re such a whacked-out lefty, even the NYT and Washington Post don’t want you. Maybe you could do a singing gig with Streisand or that nutcake washed up hippie Ronstandt. Jackass!

This one stands for itself.

Stop Pro-Torture Lawyer Alberto Gonzales

I wrote about Gonzales in my column this week. He’s a dangerous man, far worse than the departing John Ashcroft. A new website, www.StopAlbertoGonzales.com, contains everything you need to know–and can do–about the threat of his ascension to Attorney General. It’s not too late–not yet–to do something.

How to Make Friends and Influence People

From today’s Associated Press:

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi forces, backed by U.S. soldiers, stormed one of the major Sunni Muslim mosques in Baghdad after Friday prayers, opening fire and killing at least three people, witnesses said. Another raid overnight at a hospital allegedly used by insurgents in Mosul led to three arrests, the military said.

About 40 people were arrested at the Abu Hanifa mosque in the capital’s northwestern Azamiyah neighborhood, according to the witnesses, who were members of the congregation. Another five people were wounded.

It appeared the raid at Abu Hanifa mosque, long associated with anti-American activity, was part of the crackdown on Sunni clerical militants launched in parallel with military operations against the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

On Thursday, the Iraqi government warned that Islamic clerics who incite violence will be considered as “participating in terrorism.” A number of them already have been arrested, including several members of the Sunni clerical Association of Muslim Scholars which spoke out against the U.S.-led offensive against Fallujah.

“The government is determined to pursue those who incite acts of violence. A number of mosques’ clerics who have publicly called for taking the path of violence have been arrested and will be legally tried,” said Prime Minister Ayad Allawi’s spokesman, Thair al-Naqeeb.

U.S. troops were seen securing the outer perimeter of the mosque area and sealing it off. Some American soldiers also were seen inside the compound.

Witnesses heard explosions coming from inside the mosque, apparently from stun grenades. Inside the office of the imam, books and a computer were found scattered on the floor, and the furniture was turned upside down.

Say you’re Iraqi–how can you not just love our troops and their local collaborationists?

I’d Love To Draw That “Crudely”

British national treasure, UK Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell, catches shit from American ideological turncoat and right-wing sellout David Horowitz here. (Scroll down a bit until you see the color cartoon.) Drawn “crudely”? Not only is Horowitz blind to the fact that he supports an Administration that uses “Mein Kampf” more as a self help book than a cautionary tale, he’s obviously just, plain, blind.

E&P Covers Washington Post.com Flap

It’s here.

There They (We) Go Again

If you liked the Rush to War Against Iraq, you’ll love the Rush to War Against Iran(TM)! One different letter, twice the danger, all brought to you by the same colorful cast of characters!

Iran Trying to Fit Missiles for Nuclear Weapons

Powell Says U.S. Has Intelligence on Tehran’s Plans

By ALAN CLENDENNING, AP

SANTIAGO, Chile (Nov. 18) — The United States has intelligence indicating Iran is trying to fit missiles to carry nuclear weapons, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said.

Wow, Colin! Do they have lots of anthrax too? Better call Kofi Annan and book another UN speech to let everyone know what a terrible threat we face!

Mohammad Mohaddessin, of the opposition group National Council for Resistance in Iran, displays an aerial photo of Tehran during a press conference Wednesday. The group says Iran isn’t being honest with the U.N. about its nuclear activities. Powell partially confirmed claims by an Iranian opposition group that Tehran is deceiving the United Nations and is attempting to secretly continue activities meant to give it atomic arms by next year.

”I have seen intelligence which would corroborate what this dissident group is saying,” Powell told reporters Wednesday as he traveled to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Santiago. ”And it should be of concern to all parties.”

Thank goodness for those helpful dissident groups! After all, they have no motivation for lying. It’s not like the National Council for Resistance wants to run Iran after a U.S. invasion or anything. Ahmed Chalabi, call your office.

Pressed by reporters on the intelligence reports, Powell said the intelligence indicates that Iran ”had been actively working on delivery systems” capable of carrying a nuclear weapon.

Powell said there is no evidence to suggest that Iran has developed the technology to make a nuclear weapon, but suggested that the regime is working to adapt missiles for nuclear warheads.

‘I’m talking about information that says that they not only had these missiles, but I’m aware of information that suggests they were working hard as to how to put the two together,” Powell said.

Oh. Well. That’s not exactly the same thing, is it? Yes, you can use a missile to launch a nuke. But you can also use it to carry conventional weapons. Or launch a satellite. I mean, heck, you could mail a nuke to New York. Would that make any country with a postal system a nuclear threat?

A senior official for the National Council for Resistance in Iran said Tuesday that a bomb diagram – along with an unspecified amount of weapons-grade uranium – was provided to Iran by Abdul Qadeer Khan, the disgraced former head of Pakistani’s nuclear development which was tied to both Iran and Libya.

He said the designs were handed to the Iranians between 1994 and 1996, while Khan delivered HEU – highly enriched uranium – in 2001.

Once again, the same old story–ancient intelligence from a dubious source already caught lying repeatedly. All Powell has is a friggin’ cartoon–and he’s sabrerattling anyway. God, Colin, do you have anything left of your once shining rep?

Banned in the United States as a terrorist organization, the group was instrumental in 2002 in revealing Iran’s enrichment program in the central city of Natanz, based on what it said was information provided by sources in Iran.

“Banned in the United States as a terrorist organization.” Wow. Nice sourcing, Colin.

The opposition group says a facility at Lavizan-Shian northeast of Tehran was part of a secret nuclear weapons program. Powell declined comment on Khan, but said ”for 20 years the Iranians have been trying to hide things from the international community.”

Well, yes. Because the international community has imposed trade sanctions on them, attempted to overthrow their government and even bankrolled Saddam Hussein’s invasion of them. If I were the Iranians, I might be trying to keep things discreet too. Hell, I might even be trying to develop nukes to save myself from what happened to Iraq next door. But who has more to hide from the international community than the U.S.? Since when do we open our doors to international arms inspectors? Yet we are by far the greatest danger facing the world today. We have more nukes, and we’re the only country to ever have used them. Twice. On civilian targets.