kuzadd Posted April 12, 2008 Report Posted April 12, 2008 http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/richar...connection.html If you've ever wondered about the definition of hypocrisy you'll find the answer right here.Last month the Swiss foreign minister visited Iran and, together with President Ahmadinejad, attended the signing of a multi-billion euro contract for Iran to supply Switzerland with large amounts of natural gas over the next 25 years. The US State Department immediately condemned the deal and said it would be investigating whether it breached the Iran Sanctions Act. Israel complained too, describing the Swiss minister's visit to Tehran as an "act unfriendly to Israel" well, hypocrisy abounds, what else is new? So the Swiss ministers visit to Tehran was "unfriendly to Israel" So I am sure there was no end to the righteous condemnation from the usual suspects , but then , wait a minute....... and I will bold it ,as it was in the article: On March 30, the Swiss newspaper Sonntag retaliated with the revelation that Israel, supposedly observing an ironclad boycott of all things Iranian, has been buying Iranian oil for years. no way, don't tell me that ! The story is in German but Israeli journalist Shraga Elam has provided me with a translation which I'll quote from here. "Israel imports Iranian oil on a large scale even though contacts with Iran and purchasing of its products are officially boycotted by Israel. Israel gets around the boycott by having the oil delivered via Europe. A reliable Israeli energy newsletter, EnergiaNews, reported this last week [March 18] ... "EnergiaNews got the information about the Iran trade from sources with ties to the management of Israeli Oil Refineries Ltd ... According to EnergiaNews the Iranian oil is liked in Israel because its quality is better than other crude oils. "The report by EnergiaNews editor Moshe Shalev states that the Iranian oil reaches various European ports, mainly in Rotterdam. It is bought by Israelis and the necessary European bill of lading and insurance papers are supplied. Then it is transported to Haifa in Israel. The importer is the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Co (EAPC), which keeps its oil sources secret." EAPC was established in 1968 as a joint Israeli-Iranian company to transport oil from Iran to Europe. After the fall of the Shah, Iran ceased to play an active role in its affairs and there are ongoing legal disputes between the two partners. The Swiss report continued: "It is not clear if the Iranian exporters know about Israeli purchases of their oil. At the other end, the Israeli buyers and governmental offices are well aware of where the high-grade oil comes from, although it is a blatant defiance of the boycott. The EnergiaNews article even made it through Israeli censorship, which asked only for some changes in the text. The fact that the report cleared the censors increases the credibility of the information. In the past, such reports were forbidden. "When questioned by Sonntag, an energy expert of one of the leading Israeli papers confirmed the EnergiaNews report: Israel has been importing Iranian oil for many years. The expert stressed, however, that the purchases were made on the free market and not directly from Iran." I find this part of interest , I mean the whole topic is of interest, but this from the only democracy in the ME???? The EnergiaNews article even made it through Israeli censorship, which asked only for some changes in the text. The fact that the report cleared the censors increases the credibility of the information. In the past, such reports were forbidden. Israeli censorship? Of the media? The article made it through Israel's censors??? Is that like Saddam's minders? Sounds like it. Such reports were forbidden, forbidden, by who? the democratic government? don't they want the citizens of Israel to know where their oil is coming from??? back to the article.... This begs the question: if Iran is, as Bibi Netanyahu argues, an existential threat to Israel, why does the government allow such trade? Would Israel have the US attack Iran's nuclear programme and provoke a potential region-wide conflict while it cannot seem to wean itself from high quality Iranian crude? You'd think if Israelis are cowering in fear from an Iranian bomb and the arch antisemite Ahmadinejad, they wouldn't want to trade with such an enemy.When is a boycott not a boycott? When it's in your naked economic interest to circumvent it, apparently. well I agree with the author, Richard Silverstein, the definition of hypocrisy, right here. Quote Insults are the ammunition of the unintelligent - do not use them. It is okay to criticize a policy, decision, action or comment. Such criticism is part of healthy debate. It is not okay to criticize a person's character or directly insult them, regardless of their position or actions. Derogatory terms such as "loser", "idiot", etc are not permitted unless the context clearly implies that it is not serious. Rule of thumb: Play the ball, not the person (i.e. tackle the argument, not the person making it).
DogOnPorch Posted April 12, 2008 Report Posted April 12, 2008 Apparently Iran does not agree with this bit-o'-news. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=50488...ionid=351020101 Who's lying? ------------------------------------------------ Iran's oil laws forbid any buyer of the country's crude to supply oil to the 'occupied territories'. ---Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, National Iranian Oil Company Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
kuzadd Posted April 12, 2008 Author Report Posted April 12, 2008 (edited) Apparently Iran does not agree with this bit-o'-news.http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=50488...ionid=351020101 Who's lying? ------------------------------------------------ Iran's oil laws forbid any buyer of the country's crude to supply oil to the 'occupied territories'. ---Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, National Iranian Oil Company I don't know. What is Israel saying? anything , nothing?? if Iran , the government was unaware of this, wouldn't they deny as a matter of "saving face" , particularily to their own populace. Wouldn't it be correct to assume that this would not look good to the population of Israel either? Edited April 12, 2008 by kuzadd Quote Insults are the ammunition of the unintelligent - do not use them. It is okay to criticize a policy, decision, action or comment. Such criticism is part of healthy debate. It is not okay to criticize a person's character or directly insult them, regardless of their position or actions. Derogatory terms such as "loser", "idiot", etc are not permitted unless the context clearly implies that it is not serious. Rule of thumb: Play the ball, not the person (i.e. tackle the argument, not the person making it).
kuzadd Posted April 12, 2008 Author Report Posted April 12, 2008 (edited) http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/771142.html The Paz energy company has struck a deal to refine fuels for the Palestinian Authority at its refinery in Ashdod, TheMarker has learned. This deal marks the first major business transaction between an Israeli firm and the Hamas-led Palestinian government. The Iranian connection Most of the crude oil for the PA will be imported from the Gulf states and Iran, which are expected to offer good terms. Diplomatic sources suggest an awkward situation could develop in the event that Israel asks for increased pressure on Iran at the same time that an Israeli refinery is processing crude oil from Iran. According to a source in the energy industry, "a refinery doesn't distinguish between crude sourced from Iran and from anywhere else, and crude from that type of source could be marketed in Israel." Therefore, not only is an Israeli company dealing with Iran for oil, which they are getting at "good terms" they are then supplying the "Hamas led Palestinian government". So one "boogey man" , no two "boogey men", but hey, there's money to be made! Interestingly, and a thought of my own, how much oil that Paz ( Israeli company) is getting for "good terms" is being sold elsewhere and not to Palestinians? Edited April 12, 2008 by kuzadd Quote Insults are the ammunition of the unintelligent - do not use them. It is okay to criticize a policy, decision, action or comment. Such criticism is part of healthy debate. It is not okay to criticize a person's character or directly insult them, regardless of their position or actions. Derogatory terms such as "loser", "idiot", etc are not permitted unless the context clearly implies that it is not serious. Rule of thumb: Play the ball, not the person (i.e. tackle the argument, not the person making it).
scribblet Posted April 13, 2008 Report Posted April 13, 2008 According to this they don't. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/East_Med/Oil.html Pipelines Israel has one main operational oil pipeline, known as the “Trans-Israel Pipeline” or the “Tipline," built in 1968 to ship Iranian oil from the southern Red Sea port of Eilat to the northern Mediterranean port of Ashkelon, as a gateway to Europe. The pipeline went into disuse after relations with Iran soured in 1979. The 152-mile pipeline has a reported current capacity of 1-1.2 million bbl/d (having been expanded from 400,000 bbl/d) and 18 million barrels of storage capacity. Two smaller links feed Israel’s refineries. During 2003, the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Company (EAPC) modified the pipeline to reverse flows on the 42-inch line, to facilitate Russian Caspian petroleum exports to Far East. In October 2003, it was first reported that Swiss trader Glencore would ship 1.2 million barrels of Kazakh CPC Blend crude and 600,000 barrels of sour Russian Urals through the line as an alternative to the Suez Canal, which can accommodate only smaller, "Suezmax" tankers. In July 2006, Israel also signed and agreement with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to import and transport Azeri Light Crude through the pipeline. Quote Hey Ho - Ontario Liberals Have to Go - Fight Wynne - save our province
kuzadd Posted April 13, 2008 Author Report Posted April 13, 2008 (edited) According to this they don't. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/East_Med/Oil.html Pipelines Israel has one main operational oil pipeline, known as the “Trans-Israel Pipeline” or the “Tipline," built in 1968 to ship Iranian oil from the southern Red Sea port of Eilat to the northern Mediterranean port of Ashkelon, as a gateway to Europe. The pipeline went into disuse after relations with Iran soured in 1979. The 152-mile pipeline has a reported current capacity of 1-1.2 million bbl/d (having been expanded from 400,000 bbl/d) and 18 million barrels of storage capacity. Two smaller links feed Israel’s refineries. During 2003, the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Company (EAPC) modified the pipeline to reverse flows on the 42-inch line, to facilitate Russian Caspian petroleum exports to Far East. In October 2003, it was first reported that Swiss trader Glencore would ship 1.2 million barrels of Kazakh CPC Blend crude and 600,000 barrels of sour Russian Urals through the line as an alternative to the Suez Canal, which can accommodate only smaller, "Suezmax" tankers. In July 2006, Israel also signed and agreement with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to import and transport Azeri Light Crude through the pipeline. From the Swiss report "The report by EnergiaNews editor Moshe Shalev states that the Iranian oil reaches various European ports, mainly in Rotterdam. It is bought by Israelis and the necessary European bill of lading and insurance papers are supplied. Then it is transported to Haifa in Israel. The importer is the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Co (EAPC), which keeps its oil sources secret." theres that pipeline you mention in your second paragraph quote. Diplomatic sources suggest an awkward situation could develop in the event that Israel asks for increased pressure on Iran at the same time that an Israeli refinery is processing crude oil from Iran. According to a source in the energy industry, "a refinery doesn't distinguish between crude sourced from Iran and from anywhere else, and crude from that type of source could be marketed in Israel."The source called the developments of the past days "a predictable by-product of Paz's purchase of the Ashdod facility. The energy economy is expected to face a shock with the completion of the floating of the Haifa refinery. As a consequence, a duopoly will be created in the industry, and the ones who will be hurt by it will be the consumers." Senior Finance Ministry officials said yesterday that the treasury did not care about the source of the crude oil processed by the refinery. It's all about making money, and interests, it always is, so what is the problem? Besides Israel and Iran go way back, weapons, oil, helping the US to arm killers in Nicaraugua. Edited April 13, 2008 by kuzadd Quote Insults are the ammunition of the unintelligent - do not use them. It is okay to criticize a policy, decision, action or comment. Such criticism is part of healthy debate. It is not okay to criticize a person's character or directly insult them, regardless of their position or actions. Derogatory terms such as "loser", "idiot", etc are not permitted unless the context clearly implies that it is not serious. Rule of thumb: Play the ball, not the person (i.e. tackle the argument, not the person making it).
DogOnPorch Posted April 14, 2008 Report Posted April 14, 2008 I don't know.What is Israel saying? anything , nothing?? if Iran , the government was unaware of this, wouldn't they deny as a matter of "saving face" , particularily to their own populace. Wouldn't it be correct to assume that this would not look good to the population of Israel either? If it's true, then sure...both sides are lying to 'save face'. Wouldn't surprise me at all. As BC-2004's siggy says: Economics trumps virtue. ---------------------------------------- Your door is a jar. Your window, a potato. Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
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