Excerpts: US committed to denying Iran nuclear bomb. Saudi support for Egypt
unwavering. Palestinian's complaint to ICC April 1. March 02, 2015

+++SOURCE: Al Arabiya News 2 Mar.’15:”U.S.committed to denying Iran
nuclear bomb”, by Agence France Presse
SUBJECT: U.S. committed to denying Iran nuclear bomb
FULL text:The United States pledged its unwavering commitment to Israel on
Monday[2 Mar.], and insisted it will take “whatever steps are necessary” to
deny adversary Iran a nuclear bomb.

As international negotiators seek a deal with Tehran to rein in its nuclear
program, Washington's U.N. ambassador Samantha Power reiterated President
Barack Obama's commitment to prevent the Islamic republic from developing
atomic weapons.

“He will keep his commitment whether the negotiations collapse or produce a
diplomatic solution that meets our bottom line,” she told some 16,000
attendees at U.S. pro-Israel lobby AIPAC ahead of a speech by visiting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Talk, no talk. Agreement, no agreement. The United States will take
whatever steps are necessary to protect our national security and that of
our closest allies,” she assured.

“If diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of a nuclear-armed Iran as
well as everyone here. We will not let it happen,” Power added.

She also stressed that the United States vowed to oppose the “ugly” attacks
on the Jewish state's legitimacy through action in the United Nations.

“It is bitterly unjust that the United Nations, an institution founded upon
the idea that all nations should be treated equally, is so often used
cynically by member states to treat Israel unequally,” Power said.

“These attacks on Israel's legitimacy are biased, they are ugly, and the
United States of America will not rest until they stop,” she said to
sustained applause.

Power, also insisted the U.S.-Israeli relationship -- currently under strain
over Iran's nuclear ambitions -- “transcends politics, and it always will


+++SOURCE: Saudi Gazette 2 Mar.’15:”Kingdom’s support for Egypt
unwavering:Sisi”
SUBJECT:Saudi support for Egypt unwavering

JEDDAH — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi praised Saudi Arabia and
other Gulf countries for supporting Egypt in times of crisis.

“The relationship between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and Egypt and its brothers
in the Gulf, has been strong and stable for years,” said Sisi in an
exclusive interview with Al Arabiya News Channel.

He described ties between Cairo and Riyadh as having “a long history of
stability, solidarity and understanding,” and commended Saudi Arabia’s
supportive position during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, the oil embargo of the
same year, and its support for the will of the Egyptian people on the
uprising that ousted Mohammad Morsi in 2013.

“Go back to history. When Egypt was facing the aggression of 1956, King
Salman was among the fighters,” he said.

“The Gulf States: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait played a
huge role in supporting the Egyptian people’s will until today. And this
will not be forgotten.”

Sisi said his visit to Saudi Arabia was in order to congratulate Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, and hold talks especially at a time
when the region is going through “difficult conditions.”

When asked about the recent Saudi-brokered reconciliation between Egypt and
Qatar, Sisi said: “We are keen on appreciating the late King (Abdullah) by
respecting his initiative.”

During the 45-minute interview, Sisi also reiterated the need for a joint
Arab force in order to ensure stability in the region. “When we say a joint
Arab force, we don’t mean for attacking, but for defending the security of
our countries,” he said. “It is important in the light of the dangers and
threats.”

When asked about the Arab countries that could begin working on the
initiative, Sisi said: “I think Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and
Jordan. The king of Jordan agreed with the move, as we are in utmost need to
execute this initiative at this time.” “The stability of the Gulf is
stability for Egypt,” the Egyptian president added.

On Syria, Sisi said the conflict in the war-ridden country should come to
end through a political process and not military means.



+++SOURCE:Naharnet (Lebanon)2 Mar.’15:”Palestinians to File First ICC Case
against Israel in April”, Agence France Presse

SUBJECT:Palestinian’s complaint to ICC April 1

FULL TEXT:The Palestinians are to lodge their first complaint against Israel
for alleged war crimes at the International Criminal Court on April 1, a
senior official told Agence France-Presse on Monday [2 Mar.]

"One of the first important steps will be filing a complaint against Israel
at the ICC on April 1 over the (2014) Gaza war and settlement activity,"
said Mohammed Shtayyeh, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO).

On January 2, the Palestinians moved to formally join the Hague-based court
in a process which is due to take effect on April 1, setting the scene for
potential legal action against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes.

Israel reacted furiously, and quickly moved to cut off millions of dollars
in monthly tax payments it collects on behalf of the Ramallah-based
Palestinian Authority, exacerbating an already severe financial crisis.

There was no immediate response from Israel, with foreign ministry spokesman
Emmanuel Nachshon refusing to react to a declaration which he described as
"speculative and hypothetical."

On January 16, the ICC announced "a preliminary examination" into Israel's
actions over a period beginning in June which included last year's war in
Gaza in which about 2,200 Palestinians were killed.

U.N. figures indicate most of the victims were civilians.

The Palestinians are also planning to sue Israel over its policy of
settlement building on land they want for a future state.

Under international law, all Israeli construction on land seized during the
1967 Six-Day War is viewed as illegal and a major stumbling block to efforts
to end the decades-long conflict.

SourceAgence France Presse
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Sue Lerner - Associate, IMRA