[When available, hyperlinks to the original articles are provided. Obviously, keep in mind that the information is not 100% reliable but nonetheless I think it is vital to have access to these voices. Also, to say the least, we do not agree at all, with most of the op—ed pieces. But better knowledge gives us a better tool to answer.]

Oman Daily Al Watan September 29, 2004 

Western diplomatic reports transmitted to the Lebanese authorities spell out a plan of attack against targets in Syria and Lebanon. This Israel—Pentagon plan includes 65 military and civilian targets in Syria along with 40 Palestinian officials and the killing of a key figure. According to info sources on the Internet this figure could be Bashar Assad, President of Syria. The US is preparing a dossier showing Assad's involvement in international terror in order to try him in an international court.

Furthermore, the Pentagon issued a report comparing the Hezbollah to the Mahdi Army of Moktada Sadr and recommending its destruction by a Euro—US attack. This very recent plan of 13 pages could be put in action if the UN Resolution 1559 is not applied by Syria.

Al Hayat September 30, 2004

In a long interview with this newspaper, Turkey's Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul, warns against any Israeli military operations against the Iranian nuclear facilities, which would be disastrous for the region. Furthermore, Gul explains that Ankara is watching very closely the possible Israeli presence in Iraq. He finally advises against splitting Iraq in different ethnical regions, which would be very dangerous for the US, Iraq and the region. 

Al Quds Al Arabi September 29, 2004  

The editor in chief Abdelbari Atwane virulently denounces the frequent use of torture in Arab jails in the name of the fight against terrorism. According to him, thousands have died in jail at the hands of Syria, Libya, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq and Palestinian Authority. Their families were never informed of the reasons of their arrests, the circumstances of their deaths and the disposition of the bodies. Washington never protested because the Arab regimes always pretend that it is their contribution to the war on terror. Arab regimes do not hesitate to fabricate entire dossiers to be able to surf on the wave of anti—terrorism. But this repression also targets reformers who have nothing to do with terrorism. The best example is Saudi Arabia, which just announced the organization of an anti—terror conference. Suddenly all the criticism from Washington stopped. The US closed its eyes when reformers calling for democracy, justice and respect of human rights were arrested. Colin Powell even went as far as congratulating the Kingdom for its progress towards democratic reforms.

Will Saudi Arabia invite Israel to this conference because it is victim of Palestinian terrorism or Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Palestinian Authority victim of the Israeli terrorism?

Olivier Guitta is a freelance writer specialized in the Middle East and Europe.