Middle East Newsline
The indepth regional news service
ARMS, DEFENSE, STRATEGY

July 31, 2006
MORNING REPORT
Vol. 8 No. 294



TOP STORIES:

ISRAEL'S MILITARY PREPARES TO END OPERATION
UAE, BAHRAIN REQUEST BLACK HAWK
JORDAN UPGRADES APC FLEET


SOUNDBYTE
"The attacks, killing and destruction that are taking place in Lebanon now
by Israeli forces are injustice itself."
--Egypt's leading Islamic cleric Ali Gomaa supports Hizbullah's war against Israel.



In this edition of the Morning Report:
1.Middle East Diary
2.News Digest


MIDDLE EAST DIARY
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-In London, Amnesty calls for review of Bahrain's anti-terror law
-In London, U.S. airlift for Israel continues through Scotland
-In Teheran, Iran Army ordered to prepare for war
-In Teheran, Iran rules out imminent gasoline rationing
-In Teheran, Iran plans to hang 5 Arab insurgents
-In Baghdad, Shi'ite militia threatens coup in Iraq
-In Baghdad, Iraq prepares to launch security plan
-In Baghdad, 4 U.S. Marines killed in Iraq
-In Kuwait, PA Chairman Abbas meets Kuwaiti leaders
-In Kuwait, Shi'ites continue anti-U.S. rallies in sheikdom
-In Riyad, France and Saudis discuss security cooperation
-In Riyad, Saudi Defense Minister Sultan meets senior commanders
-In Jedda, Jordan and Saudi Arabia hold summit
-In Manama, Bahrain calls for help in drug war
-In Manama, 16 killed in fire in Bahraini capital
-In Manama, Bahrain reports stable oil production
-In Doha, Yemeni Pres. Saleh meets Qatari leaders
-In Abu Dhabi, UAE agrees to participate in search, rescue missions
-In Abu Dhabi, UAE reports 4.1 million residents
-In Muscat, British CoS ends visit to Oman
-In Algiers, Algerian border troops kill Moroccan
-In Rabat, King Abdullah pardons 1,215 prisoners
-In Cairo, Egypt plans to launch anti-aircraft production line
-In Damascus, Egyptian FM Gheit meets Syrian leaders
-In Beirut, 57 killed in Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon
-In Beirut, Lebanese protesters attack UN headquarters
-In Beirut, Lebanese Army placed on alert
-In Tel Aviv, Israel's military foils Palestinian suicide bombing
-In Jerusalem, Israel agrees to suspend air strikes in Lebanon

END OF THE ZARQAWI ERA
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1. IRAQ ARMY OPENS TRAINING COMMAND
2. TURKEY SENDS TROOPS INTO IRAQ

ISRAEL BATTLES HIZBULLAH
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1. ISRAEL'S MILITARY PREPARES TO END OPERATION
2. ISRAEL URGES IMMEDIATE FUEL FROM U.S.
3. U.S. NAVY INCREASES ALERT ALONG LEBANESE BORDER

HAMAS TAKES OVER THE PA
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1. HIZBULLAH SEEKS TO FORM W. BANK FRONT

GULF DEFENSE
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1. UAE, BAHRAIN REQUEST BLACK HAWK
2. OMAN REQUESTS JAVELIN FROM U.S.
3. BRITAIN, OMAN REVIEW DEFENSE PROJECTS

MIDDLE EAST DEFENSE
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1. JORDAN UPGRADES APC FLEET

MIDDLE EAST ENERGY
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1. IRAN, VENEZUELA PLANS TO BOLSTER TIES




NEWS DIGEST
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END OF THE ZARQAWI ERA
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IRAQ ARMY OPENS TRAINING COMMAND
BAGHDAD [MENL] -- The Iraq Army has opened a center meant to improve
training throughout the military.
   The army has launched its Training and Doctrine Command, established
with help from NATO. The command, opened on July 25, was designed to improve
training and education throughout the Iraqi military.
   "When we mention tactical, operational and strategic doctrine, our
command has realized that it is necessary to define a clear direction to
depend on in building our doctrine," TDC commander Iraqi Maj. Gen. Mohammed
Al Nagshabandi said.
   The opening of the facility comes as Iraq and the United States have
completed preparations for another effort meant to destroy insurgency
strongholds in Iraq. Officials said the operation, which would include tens
of thousands of U.S. troops, would begin on Aug. 1.
   Officials said the center would produce and implement doctrine at the
tactical, operational and strategic levels. They said senior officers and
Defense Ministry officials would be taught to establish professional
organizations to improve defense and security.
   "The foundation of our command is indeed a tangible fruit of faithful
efforts," Al Nagshabandi  said. "It has been an exchange of joint
experiments between [U.S.-led coalition] MNSTC-I and [NATO] NTM-I and the
Iraqi side represented by the Directorate of Defense, along with analysis
and national security studies."
   Officials said the new command was the largest Iraqi military
organization involved with training, academic and scientific studies. They
said TDC would build the foundation for a post-Saddam Iraqi military
doctrine.
   Gen. Babakir Zibari, commander of the Iraqi Joint Forces, said TDC
includes the National
Defense University, the Defense Language Institute, the National Defense
College and the Joint Staff College. Zibari said TDC also contains a
facility to train personnel from ministries that deal with national
security.
   Officials said TDC was meant to introduce a professional culture that
would ensure logistics, training and other capabilities required for Iraqi
security responsibility. They said much of the
efforts by the U.S.-led coalition have been hampered by inefficiency,
corruption and lack of discipline by the Iraqi military and government.
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TURKEY SENDS TROOPS INTO IRAQ
BAGHDAD [MENL] -- Turkey was said to have sent troops into northern Iraq.
   Iraqi officials said the Turkish Army sent reconnaissance units to the
Kandil mountains over the last week. The Kandil mountains were believed to
contain about 5,000 fighters of the Kurdish Workers Party. No clashes were
reported.
   "We got some information that there is some movement on the border
between Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey, and it seems some Turkish soldiers
entered Iraqi Kurdish villages near Zakho," Fuad Hussein, an adviser to
Kurdish President Masoud Barzani, said.
   Turkey has embarked on a military buildup along the border with Iraq.
But despite repeated threats Turkey has not ordered an invasion.
   Officials said the Turkish military appeared to be preparing for a
massive operation in Iraq. They said the United States, including
President George Bush, has urged Ankara to exercise restraint.
   "It is obvious that over the last two or three weeks, the Turkish Army
has brought large numbers of soldiers to the Iraqi Kurdistan border,"
Hussein said.
   The Baghdad government has examined options to counter any Turkish
military invasion. A senior Kurdish official was expected to arrive in Irbil
to discuss defensive measures.
   "The main headquarters of the PKK is inside Turkish territory," Kurdish
Affairs Minister Mohammad Ihsan said. "The Turkish government should solve
its problems within its territory and not violate our territory."
   Iran has also been operating against the PKK along the Iraqi border.
Officials said the Iran Army has fired artillery toward Kurdish strongholds
in northern Iraq.
   For his part, Hussein expressed confidence that the United States would
not participate in a Turkish invasion of Kurdistan. He said Washington
maintains close relations with the Kurdish government.
   "I think one must be realistic if one knows the area and the
relationship between the United States and the Kurdish authorities here,"
Hussein said.
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ISRAEL BATTLES HIZBULLAH
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ISRAEL'S MILITARY PREPARES TO END OPERATION
TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Israel's military has prepared to end its operation in
Lebanon.
   Officials said the ground operation in Lebanon would end by Aug. 2 in
expectation of a United Nations Security Council ceasefire resolution. They
said the next few days would be devoted to establishing a buffer zone of
between one and two kilometers inside Lebanon to prevent Hizbullah's return.
   "By Wednesday we are going to establish a two-kilometer wide security
zone in which there will be no infrastructure or sign of a Hizbullah
presence," Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, chief of the Operations Directorate,
said.
   On Sunday, the Israel Air Force was blamed for a strike that demolished
a building in the Lebanese village of Qana and killed 57 people. Officials
said the building was apparently destroyed when munitions stored by
Hizbullah exploded.
   "We are operating in an area from which rockets have been fired toward
Haifa," Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said.
   The United States has pressed Israel to accept the principles of a
ceasefire that would include the deployment of an international force along
the Israeli-Lebanese border. Officials said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert has urged visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for up to
two weeks to complete the operation in Lebanon.
   Officials said the army has still not eliminated rocket launching sites
within three kilometers of the Israeli border in such villages as Adeisa,
Kilah and Taibeh. On Sunday, elite Israeli troops have been operating in
these villages, located west of the northern Israeli border town of
Metullah. Heavy fighting was reported, particularly in Taibeh.
   "For the past several days these areas have been used by Hizbullah as
launching grounds for scores of rocket attacks against Israel," an Israeli
military statement said on Monday. "The objective of the operation is to
damage the Hizbullah infrastructure in the area and uncover stores of
weaponry."
   On Monday, Ms. Rice left Israel, saying a long-term ceasefire and a
"lasting settlement" could be reached this week that would include the
deployment of the Lebanese Army along the Syrian border and the dismantling
of Lebanese militias. The secretary, in an assertion confirmed by Israeli
officials, said Olmert has suspended Israeli air strikes on Lebanon for at
least the next 48 hours.
   "I welcome Israel's decision to suspend aerial attacks for 48 hours,"
Ms. Rice told a news conference on Monday morning.
   Officials said they expect the end of Israeli ground operations over the
next 48 to 72 hours. They said the air force would continue to respond to
Hizbullah rocket fire, but might not take preemptive action, such as attack
Hizbullah rocket convoys from Syria.
   "Targets such as convoys and and [rocket] launching pads appear to be
out for now," a senior military source said. "Our response will be limited
to focused and immediate threats."
   Over the last day, Hizbullah has fired about 150 rockets into Israel.
The Iranian-sponsored militia has pledged to avenge the Qana attack with
long-range rocket strikes on Tel Aviv.
   "If this [war] ends today, it means a victory for Hizbullah," Justice
Minister Haim Ramon. "It will have major implications not only for Israel
but for the rest of the world."
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ISRAEL URGES IMMEDIATE FUEL FROM U.S.
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Israel has asked the United States for immediate
shipments of military fuel.
   Officials said Israel's military requires immediate supplies of jet and
other fuel to maintain the war against Hizbullah. They said the Israeli
request would accelerate existing contracts.
   On July 25, the Defense Department awarded a $22.5 million contract for
diesel fuel to Israel. Under the contract, Refinery Associates of Texas
would supply diesel fuel to Israel's military in a program financed by U.S.
defense aid.
   A Pentagon announcement said the fuel would be delivered through France.
The fuel was expected to arrive in Israel by Monday.
   Officials said the Israeli war has taken a major toll on the military's
logistics and supplies. They said Israel has already requested jet fuel for
its fleet of combat aircraft.
   Over the last week, officials said, the United States has flown GBU-28
bunker-busting weapons to Israel through Britain. They said the effort has
been coordinated with the government of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
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U.S. NAVY INCREASES ALERT ALONG LEBANESE BORDER
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The U.S. Navy has placed on alert its surface vessels
in the eastern Mediterranean amid an emerging Hizbullah cruise missile
threat.
   Officials said the Sixth Fleet, responsible for the Mediterranean, has
ordered an alert in the corridor between Cyprus and Lebanon. They said the
alert was meant to protect against the possibility that Hizbullah would fire
cruise missiles toward U.S. Navy vessels assigned to help evacuate Americans
from Lebanon.
   "Suffice it to say that after a very careful, very excruciating analysis
of the threat, we felt it was safe enough to conduct ferrying operations,"
said Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, commander of Task Force 59, which has
coordinated the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon. "And we evaluated the
security environment on an hourly basis as we did that."
   Officials said the heightened alert was ordered in wake of the July 21
strike of an Israeli missile boat by a Chinese-origin missile. They said
Hizbullah, with Iranian assistance, fired the C-802 anti-ship missile, a
variant of the Chinese Silkworm and used by Iraq in the war in 2003.
   "The ships that we did push in were very well defended," Jensen told a
Pentagon briefing on July 26. "There were layers of security, some seen,
many unseen."
   The U.S. evacuation effort sought to reduce the signature of the naval
presence off the coast of Lebanon. Officials said thousands of Americans
were evacuated from Lebanon in landing craft units. The LCUs, or small
boats, transported the Americans to ships out of Lebanese territorial
waters.
   "Then as those larger boats transited out into deeper waters, they were
escorted as well," Jensen said. So that's probably the detail I'm going to
go into on that.  But we had sufficient security."
   Officials said the U.S. evacuation effort was conducted in cooperation
with Israel. Jensen said the coordination was arranged through U.S. European
Command.
   "We don't coordinate directly with the Israelis," Jensen said. "We
coordinated our movements through European Command, who has a relationship
with the Israeli government.  And we would make our movements known to
European Command, and they would effect the necessary coordination with the
Israeli Defense Forces."
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HAMAS TAKES OVER THE PA
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HIZBULLAH SEEKS TO FORM W. BANK FRONT
TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Hizbullah has sought to open a new front with Palestinian
suicide strikes in major Israeli cities.
   On Sunday, Israel's military foiled a major suicide strike that was
planned in the West Bank. Officials said the attack had been prepared by the
Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad.
   "Following security alerts regarding the intent of terror infrastructure
in Nablus to dispatch a suicide bombing attack into the Israeli home front,
the IDF [army] and ISA [Israel Security Agency] conducted an operation in
the area of Nablus today to thwart the planned terror attack," a military
statement said on Sunday. "During the operation, two terrorists were
arrested carrying an explosives belt."
   Jihad has threatened to launch a series of strikes to retaliate for the
Israeli bombing of the Lebanese village of Qana. At least 57 people were
killed in the air strike on a suspected Hizbullah stronghold.
   On July 29, two Jihad operatives were killed, including the commander of
the network in Nablus. The chief was identified as Hani Awijan, 29, whom at
first was described as the leader of Jihad's entire West Bank network.
   Over the weekend, Israeli troops withdrew from the northern Gaza Strip.
At least 29 Palestinians were said to have been killed in the military
operation meant to pressure the Hamas-led Palestinian government to end
missile attacks and release an Israeli soldier abducted on June 25.
   Over the last 24 hours, Hamas and other Palestinian gunners also
maintained Kassam-class, short-range missile fire into Israel, launching at
least nine missiles. Hamas said the fate of the soldier was linked to the
two soldiers later kidnapped by Hizbullah.
   "Tying [the fate of] of the soldier we have and the soldiers with
Hizbullah supports the interests of the two people, especially on the issue
of prisoners," Hamas spokesman Osama Al Muzaini said. "All of our options
are open."
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GULF DEFENSE
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UAE, BAHRAIN REQUEST BLACK HAWK
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have requested the
procurement of the Black Hawk combat helicopter from the United States.
   The two Gulf Cooperation Council states have relayed a request for the
UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, produced by Sikorsky Aircraft. The combined
value of the deals exceed $1 billion.
   The request, announced by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation
Agency, could mark the first UAE order of the Black Hawk. The agency said
Abu Dhabi has sought to purchase 26 UH-60Ms in a sale valued at $808
million.
   The UAE request included the T-700-GE-701D turbine engine from General
Electric. The United States would also provide training, communications and
logistics as part of the UAE plan to increase air mobility and expand its
helicopter fleet.
   "The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters will be used for various military
operations to include the protection of sovereign borders as well as the
protection and defense of U.S. and coalition strategic facilities," the
agency said. "The proposed purchase of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters will
greatly enhance UAE's military functionality by increasing deterrence
capabilities."
   Bahrain has requested nine Black Hawk helicopters along with two
T700-GE-701D turbine engines. The Pentagon said the proposed deal could
reach $252 million.
   "The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters will be used for various military
operations to include the protection of sovereign borders as well as the
protection and defense of U.S. and coalition strategic facilities," the
agency said. "The proposed purchase of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters will
greatly enhance Bahrain's military functionality by increasing deterrence
capabilities."
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OMAN REQUESTS JAVELIN FROM U.S.
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Oman has requested an advanced anti-tank missile from
the United States.
   The Bush administration has approved an Omani request for the Javelin
anti-tank missile system for the sultanate's infantry. This marked the first
request by Muscat for the Javelin.
   Under the request, Oman would order 250 Javelin missiles and 30
launchers in a sale estimated at $48 million. The proposed deal also
includes simulators, trainers, support equipment and spare parts.
   The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Javelin would be
used to protect Oman's infantry and light armored forces during desert
warfare.
The agency said Javelin would be a component in the sultanate's military
modernization program.
   "Javelin will provide the forces with a credible anti-armor defense that
is critical to successful operations," the Pentagon said in a July 28
statement. "The proposed sale of Javelin is consistent with Oman's ongoing
efforts to modernize its armed forces and the presence of the weapon in the
land forces' inventory will provide yet another inroad for enhancing
interoperability between the U.S. and Omani military forces."
   Javelin has been produced by a consortium that consists of Raytheon and
Lockheed Martin. Under the proposal, Oman would not receive offsets.
   This was the second proposed order of the Javelin by a Gulf Cooperation
Council military in a week. Earlier, the administration approved a Javelin
request by Bahrain.
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BRITAIN, OMAN REVIEW DEFENSE PROJECTS
ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Britain and Oman have been examining new defense
projects.
   Officials said the project could include procurement, training as well
as joint exercises. They said Britain was planning to sell or deliver
several systems over the next year.
   On July 30, a British defense delegation met Omani military commanders
in Muscat as part of defense cooperation efforts. The delegation, led by
Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup met his Omani counterpart, Lt.
Gen. Ahmed Bin Harith Al Nabhani and police inspector-general Lt. Gen. Malik
Bin Suleiman.
   "During the meeting, viewpoints were exchanged and aspects of
cooperation and matters of joint interest discussed," the official Oman News
Agency reported. "They exchanged cordial conversation on a number of issues
of common concern to the armed forces in the two countries and ways of
promoting the same particularly in the field of joint exercises."
   Britain uses air force and naval bases in Oman. The two countries
conduct regular exercises, including Swift Sword, regarded as the largest
joint exercise in the Gulf region.
   Over the last year, British companies have been administering several
defense programs in Oman. They included the delivery and deployment of the
Super Lynx-300 combat helicopter and other systems.
   Industry sources said Oman was preparing to award the European MBDA a
major project. They said MBDA was expected to sell Oman VL [Vertical Launch]
MICA shipborne point defense missile system to Oman.
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MIDDLE EAST DEFENSE
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JORDAN UPGRADES APC FLEET
AMMAN [MENL] -- Jordan has decided to upgrade its fleet of armored personnel
carriers.
   Officials said Jordan has launched a project to modernize most of its
fleet of U.S.-origin APCs. They said this would be the most comprehensive
upgrade since the Hashemite kingdom obtained the armored vehicles in the
late 1960s.
   "The upgrade would enhance the vehicles at a fraction of the cost of
buying new platforms," a Jordanian source said. "It is a major element in
our army modernization program."
   The effort was meant to modernize the M113 APC fleet in the army. In
1968, Jordan ordered 1,315 M113A1 and A2 APCs. The army has managed to keep
virtually all of the vehicles in service.
   The Bush administration has approved a Jordanian request to upgrade
1,000 M113A1 APCs in a $156 million deal. Under the proposal, BAE Systems
would upgrade the A1 models to a new Jordanian A2 configuration.
   The project would include the installation of upgraded conversion kits,
diesel engines, transmission upgrades and overhaul, suspension upgrades,
cooling system upgrades and drive train upgrades. The vehicles would also
receive modern communications equipment.
   The administration has agreed to finance the project through annual U.S.
military aid to Jordan. The kingdom receives about $250 million in annual
U.S. military aid.
   "The upgrade will provide JAF [Jordanian Armed Forces] with a dependable
vehicle capable of responding quickly against aggression or unauthorized
entry on the border," the U.S. Defense Department's Defense Security
Cooperation Agency said in a statement on July 28. "This capability is
essential to modernizing Jordan's military forces and maintaining equipment
for effective internal security operations."
   Officials said BAE, located in Santa Clara, Calif., would conduct much
of the project in Jordan. They said the kingdom has developed facilities for
overhaul and maintenance of a range of main battle tanks and APCs, including
the Challenger-1 tank.
   The APC upgrade was scheduled to be completed in 2010. The Pentagon said
no offset agreements have been proposed.
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MIDDLE EAST ENERGY
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IRAN, VENEZUELA PLANS TO BOLSTER TIES
NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran and Venezuela plan to increase cooperation,
particularly in the field of energy.
   The two countries, leading adversaries of the United States, have signed
several agreements designed to facilitate Iranian participation in energy
projects in Venezuela. Officials said Iranian companies would invest $4
billion in Venezeula's energy sector. They said an attempt to reach
agreement for Venezuelan gasoline exports to Iran failed.
   "We hope that Iranian oil companies come to set up activities in the
Orinoco Belt," Chavez said in Teheran on July 29. "We invite Iranian
companies to the Gulf of Venezuela and the delta for gas production."
   Officials said Iran's Petropars has sought to expand oil operations in
the Orinoco Belt as well as service offshore gas extraction in the Norte de
Paria field. Venezuela has 77.2 billion barrels of proven conventional oil
reserves and up to 270 billion barrels of extra-heavy and bitumen deposits.
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