Excerpts: Iran candid about involvement in Syria war. Obama,Netanyahu 'warm
words'. FM Bassil Arab countries aggravating refugee crisis September 22,
2016

+++SOURCE: AlArabiya News 22 Sept.’16:”Iran abandons discretion of role in
Syria war” ,by Reuters
SUBJECT:Iran candid about involvement in Syria war

QUOTE:”Abandoning a long-standing reticence, Iranians are increasingly
candid about their involvement in Syria’s war, and informal recruiters are
now openly calling for volunteers to defend the Islamic Republic and fellow
Shiites against Sunni militants”.

FULL TEXT:With public opinion swinging behind the cause, numbers of
would-be fighters have soared far beyond what Tehran is prepared to deploy
in Syria, according to former fighters who spoke to Reuters, and commanders
quoted by Iranian media.

Iran has been sending fighters to Syria since the early stages of the
five-year war to support its ally, President Bashar al-Assad, in the
struggle against rebels backed by Gulf Arab states and Western powers.

Once Tehran described these forces as military “advisers” but with around
400 killed on the battlefield, this discretion has slipped and several
thousand are now believed to be fighting Islamic State and other groups
trying to topple Assad.

Many Iranians initially opposed involvement in the war, harboring little
sympathy for Assad. But now they are warming to the mission, believing that
Islamic State is a threat to the existence of their country best fought
outside Iran’s borders.

“The first line for the security of Iran is Syria and Iraq,” a would-be
volunteer named Mojtaba told Reuters by email from Tehran. Mojtaba, who
asked that he be identified by only his first name, said he had been trying
in vain to get out to fight in Syria for the past two years.

While ISIS still holds large areas of Syria and Iraq, it has so far failed
to stage attacks in neighboring Iran like it has in Turkey.

Nevertheless, Iranian media have reported the breaking up of cells linked to
the extremist group at home, and the large numbers of people such as Mojtaba
willing to join the battle in Syria suggest Tehran has the stamina to pursue
its involvement there for years if it wishes.

+++SOURCE: Al Arabiya News 22 Sept,’16:”Warm words as Obama,Netanyahu put
aside rift”,by Agence France Presse
SUBJECT:Obama,Netanyahu ‘warm words’

QUOTE:”This was Obama and Netanyahu’s first meeting since the United States
promised its ally a $38 billion military aid package. (Reuters)”

FULL TEXE:President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu put aside past differences Wednesday[21Sept] in their first
meeting since the United States promised its ally a $38 billion military aid
package.

The pair’s relationship has often been frosty, but they exchanged warm words
as they met for what may be the last time before Obama leaves office in
January. Netanyahu complimented his host on “what I hear is a terrific golf
game,” and invited Obama to visit Israel after leaving the presidency to
play a round. “I want you to know Barack that you will always be a welcome
guest in Israel,” Netanyahu said. “We’ll set up a tee time,” Obama joked.

Netanyahu’s government was an angry opponent of Obama’s outreach to Iran,
which last year delivered an accord to halt Tehran’s ambition to develop
nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief. Washington, meanwhile, has
criticized Israel’s ongoing and accelerating building of settler homes on
occupied Palestinian land, arguing that this could put hopes of a negotiated
settlement to the dispute beyond reach.

But both sides still recognize the other as a close ally, and Obama’s offer
of $38 billion over ten years is the biggest military assistance pact in US
history. “It allows the Israelis to have some kind of certainty in a moment
when there’s enormous uncertainty in the region. It’s a very difficult and
dangerous time in the Middle East,” Obama said.

“It is important for America’s national security to ensure we have a safe
and secure Israel, one that can defend itself.” Netanyahu also celebrated
the “unbreakable bond,” saying: “Our alliance has grown decade after decade,
through successive presidents, bipartisan Congress and with the overwhelming
support of the American people.”

But the disagreements between the men were not entirely absent. As a smiling
Obama noted that his guest “has always been candid with us.” “We do have
concerns around settlement activity as well, and our hope is that we can
continue to be an effective partner with Israel,” Obama said.

Obama and Netanyahu came to power at the same time in 2009 and have had
several spats over the years. Earlier this year, for example, the White
House learned from news reports that the Israeli leader had cancelled a
visit and made little effort to hide its annoyance.

And in March 2015 during a re-election battle Netanyahu defied decades of US
Middle East policy by rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state, only to
reverse his own position a few days later once he was back in office.


SOURCE:Naharnet(Lebanon)22 Sept.’16:”Bassil Blames Arab Countries for
Aggravating Refugee Crisis”,By Naharnet Newsdesk
SUBJECT:FM Bassil:Arab countries aggravating refugee crisis

FULL TEXT:Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil blamed the Arab countries for the
worsening refugee crisis as he pointed out that “terrorism has surpassed all
boundaries,” the National News Agency reported on Thursday.[22 Sept]

Bassil highlighted the simmering refugee crisis, he wondered whether
encouraging migration and losing diversity in the region was what Arabs
really wanted.

"Where is the Arab position from all this?" Bassil said addressing the
annual Arab Foreign Ministers meeting on the sidelines of the 71st United
Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

He went on to question whether a swift and just solution in Syria was
possible in the absence of its nationals, who should personally contribute
to their country's resurrection, as well as political and social reform.

"Where is the Arab voice concerning our immigrant nationals and the pressing
need to have them stay in their homeland?" Bassil said in a solemn plea for
Arab leaders to listen and take action.

Highlighting the rampant state of terrorism worldwide, Bassil regretted that
it had trespassed all the possible boundaries. He also highlighted the
importance of foiling attempts to poison western minds with Islamophobia.

The Minister welcomed any solution to the Syrian crisis, saying that a cease
fire will not only bring peace, but will allow Syrians to return to their
homeland.

"The refugees' right to return to their homeland is the main condition en
route to a just and peaceful solution," he added.

Finally Bassil deemed Lebanon the best example of coexistence in the face of
terrorism.

"We're not asking for support or for money, but we're asking for those
concerned to understand our extraordinary situation to avoid being bogged
down in the struggles of regional and world adversaries," Bassil added.

"We love peace and we wish to remain loving and helpful to our Arab
brethren.
======================
Sue Lerner - Associate, IMRA