Stop buying petrol from Total gas station TEHRAN, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Iran's state oil firm and Total (TOTF.PA) have resumed talks about the French energy company's participation in a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) project after a gap of several months, a news agency said on Saturday. The semi-official Mehr News Agency said a new round of negotiations had begun in Tehran, without specifying when it happened. "In the meeting between the two companies' officials, the French party once more announced its readiness to undertake the project," Mehr said. A Total spokeswoman declined to comment. In June, the official Iranian news agency IRNA said Tehran had signed a $4.7 billion contract with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to develop phase 11 of the South Pars gas field, replacing Total which it had accused of delays. "If interested, Total can cooperate with the Chinese company in the downstream sector of the project," Mehr on Saturday quoted Seiffollah Jashnsaz, head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), as saying. Total has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NIOC to develop Phase 11 but the project was overshadowed by haggling over contract terms. Total Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie said in July that its negotiations with Tehran on a multi-billion dollar contract to develop the gas field were at a standstill. Iran has the world's second largest gas reserves, almost 16 percent of the world's total, but currently has no major net exports partly because U.S. and U.N. sanctions have deterred investment by Western firms with expertise and technology. Iran is drawing interest from Indian and Chinese firms seen as less susceptible than many other companies to such pressure, but industry experts say it will be many years before Iran becomes a major gas exporter despite its resources. The South Pars reservoir is shared by Iran and Qatar. The Iranian part is divided into 24 phases. (Reporting by Hashem Kalantari; writing by Fredrik Dahl; editing by Andy Bruce)
Nokia Troubles Nokia: The Aftershocks Continue By Eric Savitz Yesterday’s nasty Q3 financial report from Nokia (NOK) continues to have ripple effects, and the stock remains under pressure. To review: The company yesterday reported unexpected weakness in both the smart phone market and its Nokia Siemens equipment joint venture. Nokia is losing market share in both areas; what seemed surprise people is the magnitude of the troubles in both areas. Let’s run through some of the fallout: * Nokia has made some management changes. CFO Rick Simonson becomes head of the Mobile Phones segment of the company’s Devices unit, as well as head of strategic sourcing for all of Devices, which includes both Mobile Phones and Smart Phones. Timo Ihamuotila, now head of sales, becomes CFO. * Moody’s today downgraded Nokia’s senior debt to A2 from A1 to reflect the rating agency’s view that the mobile phone market will become more challenging for Nokia due to more modest long-term growth and more formidable competition. Moody’s says that Nokia “is unlikely to return near-term to the superior credit metrics that have marked the company’s credit profile for many years.” The agency also said that it believes the mobile phone market is “nearing saturation.” And it asserts that the Nokia Siemens venture may require more restructuring. * Bloomberg notes that Nokia yesterday took a $1.35 billion writedown of its stake in Nokia Siemens, and that that partnership may be “unraveling.” Just what would happen is unclear; neither side seems eager to buy out the stake of the other, and an IPO would seem problematic given the troubles in the business. * Gabelli analyst Hendi Susanto downgraded the stock to Hold from Buy. “We will become more positive when Nokia can line-up new competitive smartphones and Nokia Siemens Network can revamp its product businesses, reverse its progressive market share loss, and deliver significant improvement in its margins.” * Didier Scemama, an analyst with Royal Bank of Scotland’s ABN Amro unit, cut his rating to Hold from Buy. “Although we believe Nokia’s product portfolio is improving, competition remains intense and will likely cap any margin improvement in the medium term,” he writes. And there is plenty of other worrisome commentary from the Street on both sides of the pond. Ergo, NOK, which yesterday fell $1.71, or 11.1%, to $13.68, today is down another 18 cents, or 1.3%, to $13.50.
Your Actions Worked Nokia: The Aftershocks Continue * Canadian Solar Sells 6M Shrs At $15.75; 3% Discount * The Big Blue Blues: IBM Slides As Service Bookings Disappoint * Email * Print * Permalink * Share: o Twitter more o facebook o Yahoo! Buzz o StumbleUpon o Digg o fark o reddit o MySpace o LinkedIn o del.icio.us * smaller Text Size larger * By Eric Savitz Yesterday’s nasty Q3 financial report from Nokia (NOK) continues to have ripple effects, and the stock remains under pressure. To review: The company yesterday reported unexpected weakness in both the smart phone market and its Nokia Siemens equipment joint venture. Nokia is losing market share in both areas; what seemed surprise people is the magnitude of the troubles in both areas. Let’s run through some of the fallout: * Nokia has made some management changes. CFO Rick Simonson becomes head of the Mobile Phones segment of the company’s Devices unit, as well as head of strategic sourcing for all of Devices, which includes both Mobile Phones and Smart Phones. Timo Ihamuotila, now head of sales, becomes CFO. * Moody’s today downgraded Nokia’s senior debt to A2 from A1 to reflect the rating agency’s view that the mobile phone market will become more challenging for Nokia due to more modest long-term growth and more formidable competition. Moody’s says that Nokia “is unlikely to return near-term to the superior credit metrics that have marked the company’s credit profile for many years.” The agency also said that it believes the mobile phone market is “nearing saturation.” And it asserts that the Nokia Siemens venture may require more restructuring. * Bloomberg notes that Nokia yesterday took a $1.35 billion writedown of its stake in Nokia Siemens, and that that partnership may be “unraveling.” Just what would happen is unclear; neither side seems eager to buy out the stake of the other, and an IPO would seem problematic given the troubles in the business. * Gabelli analyst Hendi Susanto downgraded the stock to Hold from Buy. “We will become more positive when Nokia can line-up new competitive smartphones and Nokia Siemens Network can revamp its product businesses, reverse its progressive market share loss, and deliver significant improvement in its margins.” * Didier Scemama, an analyst with Royal Bank of Scotland’s ABN Amro unit, cut his rating to Hold from Buy. “Although we believe Nokia’s product portfolio is improving, competition remains intense and will likely cap any margin improvement in the medium term,” he writes. And there is plenty of other worrisome commentary from the Street on both sides of the pond. Ergo, NOK, which yesterday fell $1.71, or 11.1%, to $13.68, today is down another 18 cents, or 1.3%, to $13.50.
Resolution passed on Iran Investment IRAN INVESTMENTS: Voting 414 for and six against, the House on Oct. 14 removed federal hurdles that keep state and local governments from emptying their portfolios of stock in companies that are invested in or provide services to Iran's energy sector. The bill (HR 1327) discounts the Department of State's argument that such disinvestment hampers the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The bill clears the way for non-federal governments to disinvest from organizations that have at least $20 million invested in the Iranian energy sector or sell at least $20 million in
Resolution on Iran Investment. Senate is next WASHINGTON -- Here's an unsettling question: Is your retirement plan investing in Iran, and is that helping fund the country's nuclear program? Because they have a responsibility to maximize returns, most states generally do not seek to apply political influence to their pension funds' investment choices. Congress is out to change that. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill protecting the 18 U.S. states that have passed laws since 2006 requiring their pension funds to divest from foreign companies that do business with Iran. The measure, which passed 414-6 and must now be taken up in the Senate, is one of a handful of steps that could affect which companies Americans invest with as the Iran nuclear issue grows. Article Controls Emailemail imageprint imagereprint imagenewsletter comments (2) imageshare imagedel.icio.us imageDigg It! imageyahoo imageFacebook imageTwitter imageReddit imagerss Yahoo! Buzz Florida, the first state to pass Iran divestment legislation in June 2007, has pulled $1.15 billion worth of pension money out of 24 foreign companies doing business in the energy sector in Iran and Sudan. Among the companies: Total ( TOT - news - people ) of France, Royal Dutch Shell ( RDSA - news - people ), India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp., Russian energy giant Gazprom and various branches of the Chinese state-controlled oil company Sinopec. American companies, long prohibited from doing business with Iran, won't be affected. (In regard to Sudan, there are loopholes in U.S. economic sanctions that allow a foreign subsidiary or distributor to operate there, but most U.S. companies have steered clear.) Georgia and Illinois have divested a combined $200 million already, and Californian funds may divest from non-complying companies by January 2010. The idea is that their combined divestment efforts will raise the cost of doing business with Iran to the point that companies will pull out of the country. Considering that U.S. state and local pension funds held combined assets of nearly $3 trillion in 2006, according to the Conference Board, the divestment campaign could cause companies to think twice. According to Michael P. McCauley, a senior officer at Florida's State Board of Administration, three companies from which Florida divested, including Russia's Lukoil ( LUKOY.PK - news - people ), have ceased doing business in Iran, and two have pulled out of Sudan, clearing their names from Florida's blacklist. (In Lukoil's case, the company may have been responding to pressure from other quarters in the U.S.) Ten of the 46 companies originally cited by California are in the process of doing the same. Florida, whose Iran blacklist stands at 36 companies, estimates that its divestment efforts dented the value of its pension fund by 0.06% from September 2007 through June. Lawmakers hope that as more and more institutional investors drop holdings in these big companies, private investors--anticipating that their holdings could drop in price--will follow suit. Federal legislation may give political cover to states that have passed weaker divestment legislation and not yet divested from companies.
13 Aban Demonstrations-Help Demonstrations were very successful and nationwide. Iranians and people living in the West need to do more to help Iran youth. Think consciously about which products you buy and whether they might benefit Iran gov't. Choose to buy petrol from independent stations. Avoid Nokia mobiles and buy motorola or iphones. Avoid purchasing Siemens consumer goods. You can do a lot to help!!!!!!!!!! Take action now!!!!!! Free Iran
Geographic Scope of Green movement is increasing both vertically and horizontally Academic / It Actions ================ Continue to keep Internet freely accessible to Iranians +Iranians continue to post Videos and information through social networking and back up systems. +The quality of information is getting better and more effective. +Information is striking at social barriers and effectively increasing support for the Green movement. For example, Security forces beating young women. This is mobilizing the masses +Information from all major cities now available in the net. -There are not enough high quality still photos. These are used for the traditional print media. Need to increase information flow on this item. -Information flow is extensive during demonstartions. Also need information on day to day security force activities so that the world understands life in a concentration camp -Shutdown of local communication systems is sometimes hampering on time information, i.e., information is getting through through delayed sources. +University Students are leading the charge for the Green Movement +An increasing number of universities are becoming active Thousands of university students supporting the green movement joined the lines of people on the streets in large cities across the nation from the morning hours of November 4. Yesterday, the large squares and university campuses in large cities were the scenes of clashes between protesting students and government security and anti-riot police forces. According to various reports received by Rooz, universities in Tehran, Ghazvin, Isfahan, Mashad, Tabriz, Shiraz, Kerman and Ahvaz had eventful days, as the heavy presence of government forces, including plain-clothed militamen, Basiji and anti-riot forces on and around university campuses was not able to prevent students from joining people on the streets. Tehran University Tehran University students gathered in front of the university campus from 9 am in groups of several hundred students, despite having spent the past month and a half in a heavily militarized atmosphere. Chanting anti-government slogans, the students marched from the university campus towards large squares and areas identified by Mehdi Karoubi, one of the candidates who continues to oppose the election coup. An interesting aspect of the remarkable presence of university students in Tehran yesterday was that, in two places, the students read and distributed pamphlets calling on all students and green-clad protesters to prepare themselves for the 16 Azar (December 6) protests. A number of Tehran University students were arrested and transported to an unknown location. No credible news about their names or number has yet been released, due to the hacking of many websites and blogs associated with student activists. Ghazvin University The situation was different at the Imam Khomeini University in Ghazvin, which was surrounded by Basiji and plain-clothed forces since the early morning. More than two thousand protesting students were kept behind the university’s closed gates and not allowed to leave the campus area. In response, the students chanted anti-government slogans and did not allow a ceremony organized by university administrators and the Basij to take place. Shahid Beheshti University Students at Kerman’s Shahid Beheshti University also held an impressive gathering under the watchful eyes of the Basij and security forces. At 10 am students left the campus area and joined the public without any clashes or violence. Shiraz University The protest of Shiraz University students, numbered at three thousand, was witness to sporadic violence and clashes on campus. Security forces did not allow students to leave the campus, and instead attacked them with batons and cold weapons several times, injuring many and arresting some students. Mashad and Isfahan In Mashhad and Isfahan students had an unprecedented presence in yesterday’s rallies. In Mashad the silent protest of more than six thousand students was violently attacked by anti-riot forces. Some sources estimate that at least 60 students were injured and more than 100 were arrested. Reports from Isfahan reveal that, in addition to the arrest of a large number of students, several members of the Industrial University’s Islamic Student Association, including Ali Mahsmooli, have been arrested and transported to an unknown location. Tabriz and Ahvaz In Tabriz, thousands of Sahand University students joined the crowds chanting “Ya Hussein, Mir-Hossein,” and in Ahvaz students carried green symbols and posters of the green movement’s leaders and political prisoners while chanting against the coup government.
Economic actions are working Economic/Consumer Actions -Drive Electric The use of Hybrid and Electric cars is increasing on a daily basis. 29 Oct 2009 Honda Plans Resumption of Large Hybrid Car Production 06 Nov 2009 UK Firms to Collaborate on Electric City Car Taiwan Experts Discuss Evolving Lithium Battery Technology China Carmaker SAIC Developing Roewe 550 Hybrid, Plug-In In the Works EneDel Wins Army Contract for Hybrid Humvee Batteries Now's Time for Budget Shoppers to Buy Green Cars Raising U.S. Gasoline Taxes Will Spur Fuel Efficiency Boosts, Say Auto Execs How to Make Korea's Electric Car Dream a Reality 04 Nov 2009 Club Car Introduces Its First Street Legal Low-Speed Electric Car -Down size your car -Get a bicycle World oil consumption fell by 420,000 b/d, the largest decline since 1982. OECD consumption fell by 1.5 million b/d, driven by a decline of nearly 1.3 million b/d in the US. -Stop trading in oil futures and invest in energy stocks selectively The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced further amendments on Aug. 20 to terms under which ICE Futures Europe may makes its electronic trading and order matching system available to exchange members in the US. Regulators are in the process of closing loopholes that may have facilitated speculation. Policy responses include redefining the blurred line between commercial (those that have an interest in trading oil for hedging purposes in their businesses) and non-commercial traders. Regulatory changes involve more oversight for OTC trading platforms like the ICE. Pending legislation establishes tougher disclosure rules and position limits The US House’s Agriculture and Financial Services Committees will hold a joint hearing on Obama administration proposals to regulate over-the-counter derivative markets in Room 345, the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building, at 10 a.m. US Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner will be the only witness. The United States and Europe have signaled possible crackdowns on oil speculators - the investors who trade daily in the fuel. They argue that the sharp price changes are not borne out by the small shifts in supply or demand for oil.Authorities believe speculators may be pushing the price higher for their own gains. Crude oil futures, traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange, are at the centre of the dispute. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a US regulatory agency, said this week it is considering tougher regulations on energy markets. That could mean limits on how much traders can bet at any given time. 'Governments can no longer stand idle,' French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote in an editorial published Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal. The oil price was 'seemingly defying the accepted rules of economics.'The two leaders called for an international effort to boost transparency and supervision of oil markets. They warned that 'a new period of instability could undermine confidence just as we are pushing for recovery.' CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler said he wants to crack down on rampant speculation in the energy markets, by using a trick at work in the agricultural markets. The commission is planning hearings on a proposal to impose "position limits for commodities of finite supply." The two biggest U.S. commodity exchange operators now have dueling plans to cap speculative bets on energy futures, with IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE) proposing Thursday that federal regulators take the lead in administering position limits. Commodities market regulation in the US seems to be moving towards higher capital requirements and bureaucratization with relatively little impact on prices in the long run, said Paul Horsnell, managing director and head of commodities research at Barclays Capital in London. However, he warned, “Expect the center of gravity of world oil trading to move further away from US markets.” H.R. 3795, Over-the-Counter Derivatives Markets Act of 2009, ordered reported to the House, as amended,with a favorable recommendation by a record vote of 43 yeas and 26 nays. (FC- 49) -Support and invest in renewable energies Close to US $155 billion was invested in 2008 in renewable energy companies and projects worldwide, not including large hydro. Of this $13.5 billion of new private investment went into companies developing and scaling-up new technologies alongside $117 billion of investment in renewable energy projects from geothermal and wind to solar and biofuels. The 2008 investment is more than a four-fold increase since 2004 according to Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2009, prepared for the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative by global information provider New Energy Finance. -Do not purchase products from companies that you believe sell critical IT to security forces for eavesdropping Controversial rail contract approved by MTA board; Italian firm pledges to build plant in downtown L.A. No win for Siemens Yesterday’s nasty Q3 financial report from Nokia (NOK) continues to have ripple effects, and the stock remains under pressure. To review: The company yesterday reported unexpected weakness in both the smart phone market and its Nokia Siemens equipment joint venture. Nokia is losing market share in both areas; what seemed surprise people is the magnitude of the troubles in both areas. -Do not buy petrol from companies that invest or buy Iran oil American pension funds investing in both TOTAL and ELF (24% in Elf as recently reported here, and up to 60% in TOTAL according to english business and financial reports) Florida, the first state to pass Iran divestment legislation in June 2007, has pulled $1.15 billion worth of pension money out of 24 foreign companies doing business in the energy sector in Iran and Sudan. Among the companies: Total ( TOT - news - people ) of France, Royal Dutch Shell ( RDSA - news - people ), India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp., Russian energy giant Gazprom and various branches of the Chinese state-controlled oil company Sinopec. The Danish Labour Market Pension Fund (Pensionsselskabet, or ATP) has withdrawn its stake from Total. One of the main Dutch pension funds, PGGM, currently holding assets of around 88 billion euros, has decided to divest its holding in the NYSE-listed Chinese operator PetroChina. Total has blamed lower oil prices and tight refining margins for a 54% drop in third-quarter net profits. In the three months to September, the French oil giant's profits reached 1.9bn euros ($2.8bn; £1.7bn), compared with 4.1bn euros a year earlier. Total's third-quarter output rose 0.5% to 2.24m barrels of oil a day compared with the same period last year. Total has started four of five developments planned for this year; the Akpo oilfield off Nigeria, liquefied natural gas plants in Qatar, the Tahiti field in the Gulf of Mexico, and Angola's Tombua-Landana field. (Not Iran)
Will electric cars provide the remedy? Canada’s National Post reports that a coalition of energy companies, automakers and shipping firms has unveiled its cure for America's so-called "oil addiction" -- electric vehicles. The Electrification Coalition aims to get 75% of kilometers driven fuelled by electricity by 2040, a change the group considers necessary change as it is "too risky" for the US to import more than 65% of its crude oil needs. As well, more than half of the world's oil supplies must pass through vulnerable maritime passageways, such as the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Qatar. "The risk of a sudden and prolonged interruption to steady world oil supplies looms over the US and world economies," the Coalition said. Robbie Diamond, the group's president, said electricity can be generated within the US from many sources, including coal, natural gas, wind and solar. "So it's diverse. It's domestic and it's much more stable," Diamond said. As result, the group, backed by the likes of Nissan Motor Co. and FedEx, said, "it's conceivable that US oil imports could effectively be reduced to zero." To reach its goal, it says, the number of vehicles that run on electricity will have to jump to 250 million by 2040 from the 1.3 million on the roads today. Diamond acknowledges that the numbers are "aggressive" and the only way to get more electric vehicles on the road and the infrastructure in place to fuel them is with government incentives. How does all of this sound to you? Electrification Coalition | Revolutionizing Transportation & Achieving Energy Security
Iran Bank exposure to Dubai United Arab Emirates Foreign banks (Dh m, December 2008) Name of institution Total assets Total deposits Total loans Net profit before tax Capital adequacy ratio % No of branches (units) (a) HSBC Bank Middle East 106,056 78,964 62,555 3,026 15.1 23 Standard Chartered Bank 71,248 29,966 28,544 996 14.5 14 Barclays Bank 23,051 4,901 13,138 67 10.6 4 Citibank 21,608 9,601 7,059 696 11.8 10 ABN AMRO Bank 15,291 7,943 8,234 399 13.0 5 Arab Bank 12,609 10,212 7,663 274 10.5 8 Bank Saderat Iran 12,336 6,004 6,376 535 16.4 7 Habib Bank AG Zurich 9,817 8,179 5,261 287 18.3 9 Bank Melli Iran 9,499 2,702 2,170 329 22.0 8 Lloyds TSB Bank 9,099 6,752 5,775 177 13.1 5 BNP Paribas 9,071 5,454 6,200 263 10.8 4 Bank of Baroda 8,657 6,663 6,537 203 16.8 8 United Bank 4,449 3,222 3,075 150 11.5 10 Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait 4,339 3,783 2,325 55 10.3 2 Arab African International Bank 2,792 789 2,527 37 12.0 2 Calyon-Corporate and Investment Bank 2,531 1,336 845 45 13.6 2 Blom Bank France 1,974 1,638 627 51 20.0 2 BLC Bank (France) 1,540 1,221 468 31 14.2 4 Banque Misr 1,402 589 1,126 3 19.8 4 Habib Bank Limited 1,325 1,043 750 36 14.6 7 National Bank of Bahrain 1,321 115 1,154 15 14.3 1 National Bank of Oman 871 744 607 0 12.6 1 Janata Bank 360 289 25 11 44.0 4 El Nelein Bank 206 133 131 5 23.0 1 National Bank of Kuwait n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 Rafidain Bank n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 Samba Financial Group n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 National totals 1,516,715 943,147 1,014,279 28,837 n/a 804 Source: Emirates Bank Association, Central Bank of the UAE (a) March 2009 Investment banks (US$ m, December 2008) Name of institution Total assets Operating revenue/turnover Net Income Arab Emirates Investment Bank 164,820 8,659 7,216 HSBC Financial Services (Middle East) n/a n/a n/a Noor Capital n/a n/a n/a Source: Central Bank of the UAE © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
Go Copenhagen WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 7 -- Greenhouse gases threaten the public’s health and should be regulated, the US Environmental Protection Agency said on Dec. 7. GHG emissions from on-road vehicles contribute to that threat, it added. “Today’s finding is based on decades of research by hundreds of researchers,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “The vast body of evidence not only remains unassailable; it’s grown strong, and it points to one conclusion: Greenhouse gases from human activity are increasing at unprecedented rates and are adversely affecting our environment and threatening our health.” The finding follows a study that EPA undertook after the US Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that GHGs fit within the federal Clean Air Act’s definition of pollutants. It covers emissions of six gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, according to Jackson. It does not impose new requirements itself but allows the agency to finalize GHG standards proposed earlier this year as part of a joint rulemaking with the US Department of Transportation, Jackson continued. On-road vehicles contribute more than 23% of total US GHG emissions, and EPA’s proposed standards for light-duty vehicles, an on-road vehicle subset, would reduce GHG emissions by nearly 950 million tonnes and conserve 1.8 billion bbl of oil over the lifetime of model year 2012-16 vehicles, Jackson said. She noted that both she and US President Barack Obama support reaching a legislative solution to global climate change, but added that it’s critical for EPA to respond to the Supreme Court’s ruling and begin to regulate GHG emissions because they threaten public health. The agency issued proposed findings in April and received more than 360,000 comments during the 60-day comment period that followed, she said. ‘Politically motivated’ Oil and gas industry groups immediately criticized EPA’s action. “There was no compelling deadline that forced EPA’s hand on this decision,” said American Petroleum Institute Pres. Jack N. Gerard. “It is a decision that is clearly politically motivated to coincide with the start of the Copenhagen climate summit. EPA’s finding is inadequate, unsupported by the record, and fails to demonstrate a significant risk of harm to public health or welfare.” National Petrochemical & Refiners Association Pres. Charles T. Drevna, meanwhile, commented, “Individual American consumers and businesses alike will be dramatically affected by this decision that, frankly, is based on selective science, a weak legal and policy foundation, and a failure to account for numerous uncertainties and assumptions in the models it relies on.” Drevna added, “This is yet another example of federal policymakers failing to consider the long-term consequences of a regulatory action for consumers and the economy as a whole.” Congressional Democratic leaders said EPA’s finding makes it that much more urgent for Congress to pass climate-change legislation. “Those who fear EPA regulation of global warming pollution will find the answer in the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the House this year,” said US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.). “Now that the US government has officially ended its era of climate denial, the real endangerment to our planet comes from those who continue to deny the science and delay taking any action,” said Rep. Edward J. Markey (Mass.), who cosponsored with Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry J. Waxman (Calif.) the bill which the House passed by seven votes on June 26. Key milestone US Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (Calif.), who cosponsored the Senate’s current primary climate-change bill with John F. Kerry (Mass.)—which the committee approved despite a boycott by Republican members—said the endangerment finding was a key milestone in EPA’s efforts to address global warming under CAA. “It is now clear that if we take our responsibility seriously to protect and defend our people from this threat, the Senate has a duty to act on climate-change legislation that includes major components of the work done by the Energy and Environment committees,” Boxer said. Republicans were more critical. House Minority Leader John A Boehner (Ohio) said, “Today’s EPA announcement paves the way for Washington Democrats’ cap-and-trade national energy tax, a bureaucratic nightmare that would make households, small businesses, and family farms pay higher prices for electricity, gasoline, food, and virtually every product made in America.” Joe Barton (Tex.), the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s ranking minority member, said, “When scientists whose work is the bedrock for our global warming policy use words like ‘travesty’ and ‘trick’ to describe their actions, and banter about how they’ll blackball professional journals and delete evidence, it’s time to slow down and consider what we’re doing, not sound the charge. Regrettably, good sense got run over today when EPA hit the gas instead of tapping the brakes.” James M. Inhofe (Okla.), the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s ranking minority member, said, “Today, the Obama administration announced an unprecedented rule, one that will have far-reaching implications for each and every America. The administration’s endangerment finding will lead to a wave of new regulations and bureaucracy that will wreak havoc on the American economy destroy millions of jobs, and force consumers to pay more for electricity and gasoline.” Environmental organizations regarded the action more favorably. “As the major global warming summit begins this week in Copenhagen, this announcement couldn’t come at a more important time,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope. “The Obama administration has followed through on its pledge to act and is demonstrating that the US has turned away from eight years of inaction under the Bush administration.”
US Oil Strategy and a message to Opec The freedom seeking Iranian population have managed to propel the issue of Iran into the top league of world political debate. The current Copenhagen summit is keeping all major politicians very busy which is why there has not been a great deal of focus on Iran. Today's Iraq oil bidding results are part of a process that started with the Green revolution of the Iranian people. This is where we are if we looking at Geostrategic map A) Green movement within Iran is growing in both quality and Geographic scope B) All members of Iranian Society are showing their discontent and joining each other in civil expression of their rights. In Iran and abroad C) Iranian authorities are no longer able to suppress Iranian people D) Khamenei has lost his religious credentials with people and clergy E) Clergy has lost its standing with Iranian people F) Armed forces have given a warning to Sepah G) Ministry of Intelligence is being disbanded H) Russia and China have now joined Obama in isolating Iran I) Companies winning bids in Iraq have jumped the ship on Iran Oil Investment A lot has been achieved in the last months and the illigitemate government has become very isolated. Its capacity to suppress Iran in the long term has been significantly diminished. Further sanctions will continue this process. It is now up to Iranians to ensure that their actions will shorten the long term strategy in order to increase the short and mid term effectiveness of their own strategies. This will limit the short term cost and pain for Iran. Free Iran Iraq oil bidding process also gives a hidden message to OPEC. Iraq oil production will increase significantly and this is a country that is not bound to OPEC oil production quotas.
Review This is where we are if we looking at Geostrategic map A) Green movement within Iran is growing in both quality and Geographic scope ++ Qom demonstration for ayatollah Monatzeri was huge even though security forces actively stopped mourners from travelling to Qom. B) All members of Iranian Society are showing their discontent and joining each other in civil expression of their rights. In Iran and abroad ++ Clergy/Politicians/Civilians all mourned and protested together even though they were harassed by security forces and thugs C) Iranian authorities are no longer able to suppress Iranian people ++ Security forces were unable to control mass demonstrations in Qom. Not really known for being a hotbed of protestors D) Khamenei has lost his religious credentials with people and clergy ++ His condolence message for ayatollah Montazeri asked for leniancy of God due to his previous stance on human rights. This is a faut pas and a betrayal to Iran population E) Clergy has lost its standing with Iranian people ++ This has been the case for a long time. Khamenei has lost complete legitimacy so Velayat is now being targeted as well F) Armed forces have given a warning to Sepah ++ No more news on discontent but seem to be staying out of politucs G) Ministry of Intelligence is being disbanded ++ 6-8000 members dismissed by IRGC. Tried to rally support for Khamenei through misrepresentation of a torn Khomeini picture. Rallies were minimal and a total flop becuase of lack of support. Khamenei also angry at their performance. Geographic scope of Green movement is expanding while intelligence operations are being minimized or even disbanded H) Russia and China have now joined Obama in isolating Iran ++ Copenhagen was a Flop. Lets see what happens in January. Will the political interest sections of Russia/China hear the demands of Iranian citizens and ensure the long term interests of their countries I) Companies winning bids in Iraq have jumped the ship on Iran Oil Investment ++ This is the biggest setback for illegitimate Iran government. Programs for next 20 years need to be reset as long term oil revenues will not be there to support regime.
Ceausescu revisited This is where we are if we looking at Geostrategic map A) Green movement within Iran is growing in both quality and Geographic scope ++ Qom demonstration for ayatollah Monatzeri was huge even though security forces actively stopped mourners from travelling to Qom. 27/12 Ashura demos are huge. 4 people have been killed and many injured. B) All members of Iranian Society are showing their discontent and joining each other in civil expression of their rights. In Iran and abroad ++ Clergy/Politicians/Civilians all mourned and protested together even though they were harassed by security forces and thugs 27/12 Islamic Ashura ceremony has become a ceremony protesting against Yazid Khamenei C) Iranian authorities are no longer able to suppress Iranian people ++ Security forces were unable to control mass demonstrations in Qom. Not really known for being a hotbed of protestors 27/12 Thugs are attacking people but they are holding together and responding to attacks D) Khamenei has lost his religious credentials with people and clergy ++ His condolence message for ayatollah Montazeri asked for leniancy of God due to his previous stance on human rights. This is a faut pas and a betrayal to Iran population 27/12 Khamenei is now Yazid which means people have excommunicated him from his religious duties E) Clergy has lost its standing with Iranian people ++ This has been the case for a long time. Khamenei has lost complete legitimacy so Velayat is now being targeted as well 27/12 Velayat has no more standing. What will replace Velayat and Sepah? F) Armed forces have given a warning to Sepah ++ No more news on discontent but seem to be staying out of politucs 27/12 Some more news of army and Sepah discontent. Crowds are becoming larger and more disenchanted. People are hitting back when they get attacked by plain clothes gov't thugs G) Ministry of Intelligence is being disbanded ++ 6-8000 members dismissed by IRGC. Tried to rally support for Khamenei through misrepresentation of a torn Khomeini picture. Rallies were minimal and a total flop becuase of lack of support. Khamenei also angry at their performance. Geographic scope of Green movement is expanding while intelligence operations are being minimized or even disbanded 27/12 All Ministry of Intelligence plots and ploys are being uncovered before becoming active. Minister of Intelligence keeps trying to blame protests on foreign elements and does not want to accept that this whole issue is home grown. H) Russia and China have now joined Obama in isolating Iran ++ Copenhagen was a Flop. Lets see what happens in January. Will the political interest sections of Russia/China hear the demands of Iranian citizens and ensure the long term interests of their countries 27/12 Has become very quiet and don't see many statements. Obama has taken the lead and stopped their foreign policies in his tracks. He has the next move. I) Companies winning bids in Iraq have jumped the ship on Iran Oil Investment ++ This is the biggest setback for illegitimate Iran government. Programs for next 20 years need to be reset as long term oil revenues will not be there to support regime. 27/12 Iraq continues to give contracts for oil fields on Iran/Iraq border. Border disputes are hotting up as Iran wants to distract from internal issues.
This is where we are if we looking at Geostrategic map A) Green movement within Iran is growing in both quality and Geographic scope ++ Qom demonstration for ayatollah Monatzeri was huge even though security forces actively stopped mourners from travelling to Qom. 27/12 Ashura demos are huge. 4 people have been killed and many injured. 28/12 Taking a rest from yesterdays clashes and regrouping B) All members of Iranian Society are showing their discontent and joining each other in civil expression of their rights. In Iran and abroad ++ Clergy/Politicians/Civilians all mourned and protested together even though they were harassed by security forces and thugs 27/12 Islamic Ashura ceremony has become a ceremony protesting against Yazid Khamenei 28/12 People are well informed about what happened and state media ismerely portraying a wrong picture in order to placate minority gov't forces. (Soft War) C) Iranian authorities are no longer able to suppress Iranian people ++ Security forces were unable to control mass demonstrations in Qom. Not really known for being a hotbed of protestors 27/12 Thugs are attacking people but they are holding together and responding to attacks 28/12 Forces are currently arresting family members of opposition members in order to gain leverage for future operational freedom, threats, or negotiations D) Khamenei has lost his religious credentials with people and clergy ++ His condolence message for ayatollah Montazeri asked for leniancy of God due to his previous stance on human rights. This is a faut pas and a betrayal to Iran population 27/12 Khamenei is now Yazid which means people have excommunicated him from his religious duties 28/12 No one is interested in Islam anymore E) Clergy has lost its standing with Iranian people ++ This has been the case for a long time. Khamenei has lost complete legitimacy so Velayat is now being targeted as well 27/12 Velayat has no more standing. What will replace Velayat and Sepah? 28/12 Some clergy are interested in replacing SL. Those days are over and no islamic leader will be successful in keeping theocratic system F) Armed forces have given a warning to Sepah ++ No more news on discontent but seem to be staying out of politucs 27/12 Some more news of army and Sepah discontent. Crowds are becoming larger and more disenchanted. People are hitting back when they get attacked by plain clothes gov't thugs 28/12 Some forces refused to crry out orders. It seems Basij and Sepah reinforcements were brought into Teheran in order to replace normal police G) Ministry of Intelligence is being disbanded ++ 6-8000 members dismissed by IRGC. Tried to rally support for Khamenei through misrepresentation of a torn Khomeini picture. Rallies were minimal and a total flop becuase of lack of support. Khamenei also angry at their performance. Geographic scope of Green movement is expanding while intelligence operations are being minimized or even disbanded 27/12 All Ministry of Intelligence plots and ploys are being uncovered before becoming active. Minister of Intelligence keeps trying to blame protests on foreign elements and does not want to accept that this whole issue is home grown. 28/12 Intelligence operations seem to be targeting family members of opposition politicians/activists. Also, prominent activists are being arrested H) Russia and China have now joined Obama in isolating Iran ++ Copenhagen was a Flop. Lets see what happens in January. Will the political interest sections of Russia/China hear the demands of Iranian citizens and ensure the long term interests of their countries 27/12 Has become very quiet and don't see many statements. Obama has taken the lead and stopped their foreign policies in his tracks. He has the next move. 28/12 Russia condemned violence. Where does China stand on this? I) Companies winning bids in Iraq have jumped the ship on Iran Oil Investment ++ This is the biggest setback for illegitimate Iran government. Programs for next 20 years need to be reset as long term oil revenues will not be there to support regime. 27/12 Iraq continues to give contracts for oil fields on Iran/Iraq border. Border disputes are hotting up as Iran wants to distract from internal issues. 28/12 Border dispute continues to simmer
This is where we are if we looking at Geostrategic map A) Green movement within Iran is growing in both quality and Geographic scope ++ Qom demonstration for ayatollah Monatzeri was huge even though security forces actively stopped mourners from travelling to Qom. 27/12 Ashura demos are huge. 4 people have been killed and many injured. 28/12 Taking a rest from yesterdays clashes and regrouping 07/02/10 Arrest / Torture / Execution of Iranians is merley instigating further protests All segments of society will participate in Green demos for 22 Bahman B) All members of Iranian Society are showing their discontent and joining each other in civil expression of their rights. In Iran and abroad ++ Clergy/Politicians/Civilians all mourned and protested together even though they were harassed by security forces and thugs 27/12 Islamic Ashura ceremony has become a ceremony protesting against Yazid Khamenei 28/12 People are well informed about what happened and state media ismerely portraying a wrong picture in order to placate minority gov't forces. (Soft War) 07/02/10 Population is holding nightly protests in front of Evin prison in order to show support for those arrested. Binding effect on entire population. Increased Solidarity. C) Iranian authorities are no longer able to suppress Iranian people ++ Security forces were unable to control mass demonstrations in Qom. Not really known for being a hotbed of protestors 27/12 Thugs are attacking people but they are holding together and responding to attacks 28/12 Forces are currently arresting family members of opposition members in order to gain leverage for future operational freedom, threats, or negotiations 07/02/10 Arrests and violence have had no effect on Green movement. They have helped to increase solidarity and popular support. D) Khamenei has lost his religious credentials with people and clergy ++ His condolence message for ayatollah Montazeri asked for leniancy of God due to his previous stance on human rights. This is a faut pas and a betrayal to Iran population 27/12 Khamenei is now Yazid which means people have excommunicated him from his religious duties 28/12 No one is interested in Islam anymore 07/02/10 Islamic card in Iran is no longer effective. Religious establishment and infrastructure is fractured. E) Clergy has lost its standing with Iranian people ++ This has been the case for a long time. Khamenei has lost complete legitimacy so Velayat is now being targeted as well 27/12 Velayat has no more standing. What will replace Velayat and Sepah? 28/12 Some clergy are interested in replacing SL. Those days are over and no islamic leader will be successful in keeping theocratic system. 07/02/10 Long term demise of religious authority continues and is now clearly against its own people. F) Armed forces have given a warning to Sepah ++ No more news on discontent but seem to be staying out of politucs 27/12 Some more news of army and Sepah discontent. Crowds are becoming larger and more disenchanted. People are hitting back when they get attacked by plain clothes gov't thugs 28/12 Some forces refused to crry out orders. It seems Basij and Sepah reinforcements were brought into Teheran in order to replace normal police 07/02/10 No more news on this but plenty of news on fractions within sepah G) Ministry of Intelligence is being disbanded ++ 6-8000 members dismissed by IRGC. Tried to rally support for Khamenei through misrepresentation of a torn Khomeini picture. Rallies were minimal and a total flop becuase of lack of support. Khamenei also angry at their performance. Geographic scope of Green movement is expanding while intelligence operations are being minimized or even disbanded 27/12 All Ministry of Intelligence plots and ploys are being uncovered before becoming active. Minister of Intelligence keeps trying to blame protests on foreign elements and does not want to accept that this whole issue is home grown. 28/12 Intelligence operations seem to be targeting family members of opposition politicians/activists. Also, prominent activists are being arrested 07/02/10 State murders and arrest of jounalists have had no effect on protest movement. International solidarity with Iran population has increased significantly. H) Russia and China have now joined Obama in isolating Iran ++ Copenhagen was a Flop. Lets see what happens in January. Will the political interest sections of Russia/China hear the demands of Iranian citizens and ensure the long term interests of their countries 27/12 Has become very quiet and don't see many statements. Obama has taken the lead and stopped their foreign policies in his tracks. He has the next move. 28/12 Russia condemned violence. Where does China stand on this? 07/02/10 Russia has joined West on issue. US has now started moves to pressure China military wing in order to get poltical support for Sanctions. I) Companies winning bids in Iraq have jumped the ship on Iran Oil Investment ++ This is the biggest setback for illegitimate Iran government. Programs for next 20 years need to be reset as long term oil revenues will not be there to support regime. 27/12 Iraq continues to give contracts for oil fields on Iran/Iraq border. Border disputes are hotting up as Iran wants to distract from internal issues. 28/12 Border dispute continues to simmer 07/02/10 Iraq elections on the way. J) AN tried to steal 2010 Munich Security conference using Foreign Minister Mottaki. 06/02/10 Larijani went on State TV and called AN propsal robbery. 06/02/10 Western Jouranlists and politican did not take offer seriously because it was presented by an illegitimate regime. 07/02/10 AN instructed Iran Atomic Agency to start enriching Uranium to 20%. 07/02/10 AN failed miserably in Muncih. There was no propaganda coup. 07/02/10 Actually helped Green movement gain International momentum because it illustrated the weakness of AN government and split in poltical elite. K) Western governments / Journalists have been forewarned about 22 Bahman coverage and Iran government techniques for staging demos. 07/02/10 Government unlikely to achieve a propaganda coup on 22 Bahman 07/02/10 Presence of Iranian people in the streets of Iran will be seen by all. Nobody in Iran and the west will be able to turn a blind eye on this historic occasion.
Need new tactics as Gov't is starting to use smart repression This is where we are if we looking at Geostrategic map A) Green movement within Iran is growing in both quality and Geographic scope ++ Qom demonstration for ayatollah Monatzeri was huge even though security forces actively stopped mourners from travelling to Qom. 27/12 Ashura demos are huge. 4 people have been killed and many injured. 28/12 Taking a rest from yesterdays clashes and regrouping 07/02/10 Arrest / Torture / Execution of Iranians is merley instigating further protests All segments of society will participate in Green demos for 22 Bahman 21/02/10 Protests in Iran were widespread. Government crackdown did not allow Green movement to steal the show but World understood regime demos to be government organized and bought. B) All members of Iranian Society are showing their discontent and joining each other in civil expression of their rights. In Iran and abroad ++ Clergy/Politicians/Civilians all mourned and protested together even though they were harassed by security forces and thugs 27/12 Islamic Ashura ceremony has become a ceremony protesting against Yazid Khamenei 28/12 People are well informed about what happened and state media ismerely portraying a wrong picture in order to placate minority gov't forces. (Soft War) 07/02/10 Population is holding nightly protests in front of Evin prison in order to show support for those arrested. Binding effect on entire population. Increased Solidarity. 21/02/10 More and more segments of Society arejoing the cause even though security forces have increased repression and are now cracking down on segments of society that are likely to join the Green movement. Their crackdown is now focused on the families of political prisoners that were executed in Iran's early revolutionary period. C) Iranian authorities are no longer able to suppress Iranian people ++ Security forces were unable to control mass demonstrations in Qom. Not really known for being a hotbed of protestors 27/12 Thugs are attacking people but they are holding together and responding to attacks 28/12 Forces are currently arresting family members of opposition members in order to gain leverage for future operational freedom, threats, or negotiations 07/02/10 Arrests and violence have had no effect on Green movement. They have helped to increase solidarity and popular support. 21/02/10 Suppression of people comes at a cost that government can no longer aford because they are losing their own support base. It is now obvious that government is trying to suppress the movement through psychological warfare in the national media and targeted arrests for greatest effectiveness. D) Khamenei has lost his religious credentials with people and clergy ++ His condolence message for ayatollah Montazeri asked for leniancy of God due to his previous stance on human rights. This is a faut pas and a betrayal to Iran population 27/12 Khamenei is now Yazid which means people have excommunicated him from his religious duties 28/12 No one is interested in Islam anymore 07/02/10 Islamic card in Iran is no longer effective. Religious establishment and infrastructure is fractured. 21/02/10 Definitely least popular man in Iran. He has managed to centralize all peoples rage on him. The religious card no longer exists in Iran and it is only a matter of time before security forces shut down the entire religious establishment. E) Clergy has lost its standing with Iranian people ++ This has been the case for a long time. Khamenei has lost complete legitimacy so Velayat is now being targeted as well 27/12 Velayat has no more standing. What will replace Velayat and Sepah? 28/12 Some clergy are interested in replacing SL. Those days are over and no islamic leader will be successful in keeping theocratic system. 07/02/10 Long term demise of religious authority continues and is now clearly against its own people. 21/02/10People ahve moved away from theocracy. The religious card no longer exists in Iran and it is only a matter of time before security forces shut down the entire religious establishment. There is now a fight between future democratic institutions or dicatatorial institutions with no room for religious establishment. F) Armed forces have given a warning to Sepah ++ No more news on discontent but seem to be staying out of politucs 27/12 Some more news of army and Sepah discontent. Crowds are becoming larger and more disenchanted. People are hitting back when they get attacked by plain clothes gov't thugs 28/12 Some forces refused to crry out orders. It seems Basij and Sepah reinforcements were brought into Teheran in order to replace normal police 07/02/10 No more news on this but plenty of news on fractions within sepah 21/02/10 Effectivenessof security forces on decline. Iran trying to play nuclear card in order to create external force factor and rally Iran nationalist cause. This will then allow them to destroy national protests and create an external adversary. G) Ministry of Intelligence is being disbanded ++ 6-8000 members dismissed by IRGC. Tried to rally support for Khamenei through misrepresentation of a torn Khomeini picture. Rallies were minimal and a total flop becuase of lack of support. Khamenei also angry at their performance. Geographic scope of Green movement is expanding while intelligence operations are being minimized or even disbanded 27/12 All Ministry of Intelligence plots and ploys are being uncovered before becoming active. Minister of Intelligence keeps trying to blame protests on foreign elements and does not want to accept that this whole issue is home grown. 28/12 Intelligence operations seem to be targeting family members of opposition politicians/activists. Also, prominent activists are being arrested 07/02/10 State murders and arrest of jounalists have had no effect on protest movement. International solidarity with Iran population has increased significantly. 21/02/10 IM is now proceeding with targetted arrests as they cannot influence macro situation. Smart repression reduces the cost to government and weakens movement H) Russia and China have now joined Obama in isolating Iran ++ Copenhagen was a Flop. Lets see what happens in January. Will the political interest sections of Russia/China hear the demands of Iranian citizens and ensure the long term interests of their countries 27/12 Has become very quiet and don't see many statements. Obama has taken the lead and stopped their foreign policies in his tracks. He has the next move. 28/12 Russia condemned violence. Where does China stand on this? 07/02/10 Russia has joined West on issue. US has now started moves to pressure China military wing in order to get poltical support for Sanctions. 21/02/10 IAEA has a new director and Russia/China have no choice but to accept sanctions. Obama has signed arms contratc with Taiwan and allowed Dalai lama vistit to White House. Both actions strike at China's internal security. I) Companies winning bids in Iraq have jumped the ship on Iran Oil Investment ++ This is the biggest setback for illegitimate Iran government. Programs for next 20 years need to be reset as long term oil revenues will not be there to support regime. 27/12 Iraq continues to give contracts for oil fields on Iran/Iraq border. Border disputes are hotting up as Iran wants to distract from internal issues. 28/12 Border dispute continues to simmer 07/02/10 Iraq elections on the way. 21/02/10 Many companies are volutarily refraining from investment and sales in Iran. This is happening before the imposition of new sanctions. J) AN tried to steal 2010 Munich Security conference using Foreign Minister Mottaki. 06/02/10 Larijani went on State TV and called AN propsal robbery. 06/02/10 Western Jouranlists and politican did not take offer seriously because it was presented by an illegitimate regime. 07/02/10 AN instructed Iran Atomic Agency to start enriching Uranium to 20%. 07/02/10 AN failed miserably in Muncih. There was no propaganda coup. 07/02/10 Actually helped Green movement gain International momentum because it illustrated the weakness of AN government and split in poltical elite. 21/02/10 Security analysts are well aware of Iran situation K) Western governments / Journalists have been forewarned about 22 Bahman coverage and Iran government techniques for staging demos. 07/02/10 Government unlikely to achieve a propaganda coup on 22 Bahman 07/02/10 Presence of Iranian people in the streets of Iran will be seen by all. Nobody in Iran and the west will be able to turn a blind eye on this historic occasion. 21/02/10 Media covered government demo in a very restricted manner. They all mentioned that it was mocked and unreal.
