Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Iran has been working on becoming a member of the "nuclear club" for quite awhile. Recently they seem to have become more belligerent and I think desperate. This is perhaps an indication that they feel an attack by the United States or Israel is more likely than ever or the best defense is an offense. Iran has always been the prize, not Iraq. I also believe this ‘desperation’ may be seen in Iran’s recruitment of suicide volunteers.
#msg-3236147


Iran, which owns the Caspian's southern shores, is the most awkward country in the region for the US: American oil companies have yet to find a way there.

Iran is the main obstacle to US plans to develop international oil and gas projects in the Caspian.
http://www.rosbaltnews.com/2003/07/17/63269.html

Not in a hurry to send troops but we are encircling Iran. The problem is securing Iran’s northern border.
#msg-3097785


Now you have me wondering if Russia is also behind the PKK uprising in Turkey. There is the matter of the United States and the Black Sea bases and Turkey’s remark that not only Russia has the right to be present in the Caucasus.


Kurdish Separatists End Ceasefire in Turkey, Foreigners Warned
#msg-3209626

PKK kills two in southeast Turkey
Saturday, June 12 2004 @ 05:59 AM Central Daylight Time

http://www.turks.us/article.php?story=20040612055947152


Russian government does not trust the steps that Turkey has been taking, such as «The Caucasus Security Agreement» signed by Turkey and Georgia, which claims «with no superfluous diplomacy» (as Russian sources put it) that not only Russia has the right to be present in the Caucasus.
#msg-3320358

Hürriyet: UNITED STATES WANTS INCIRLIK BASE
Turkish Deputy Chief of General Staff Ilker Basbug announced that the United States demanded that Turkey should make some facilitation for bases in Incirlik town of southern Adana province and central Konya province. Basbug hinted that Washington was taking pulse related with establishment of three new sea bases in the Black Sea. Replying to questions of reporters, Basbug said, "we have received some request from the United States. We are working on them." Basbug noted that there was no need for a parliamentary decision to meet some of these demands within the scope of Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement (DECA). Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he had not received any demand for Incirlik base.

http://www.turkishnewsline.com/turk_basini.php?tarih_turk=1085691600



I have posted much on Belarus, part of the new Soviet Union?

Will get back to you. I keep thinking of something regarding China and N. Korea's nuclear issues.

-Am