May 2019

SALMAN RADI SHEIKH—The EU countries have rejected Iran’s ultimatum. At the same time, they have as usual expressed a disapproval of the US unilateral policy vis-à-vis Iran. But Iran as well as its two close allies, Russia and China, seem to understand that nuclear deal has never been the real issue; the real issue is Iran’s revolutionary regime and a US (as also a Saudi, Israeli and UAE) policy to overthrow it, preferably through an internal up-rising. This way, the US and its allies can avoid confronting Russia and China on Iran. A military attack would otherwise cause an escalation on a very large scale. That the reason for a US exit from the deal and imposition of sanctions is their regime change policy is evident from Iran’s emphasis on how the so-called ‘B-team’ involved in all this. This team, according to Iran’s foreign minister Zarif, consists of Israel’s Bibi (Netanyahu), Saudia’s MBS, UAE’s MBZ, the US’ John Bolton.

DOUG BOLTON—n a trip to South America where he declared that the world should move to a more just ecological system where riches are shared by all, the Pope has received a crucifix mounted on a wooden hammer and sickle, from Bolivian President Evo Morales. He received the Communist crucifix while visiting La Paz in Bolivia, during his ongoing tour of South America. When he met the President, he was handed a wooden hammer and sickle, the symbol of Communism since the Russian Revolution.  Morales explained to Pope Francis that the cross was created by Jesuit Father Luis Espinal, who was assassinated in 1980 by paramilitaries during the short-lived dictatorship of Luis Garcia Meza. A Vatican spokesman confirmed that it is unlikely the Communist crucifix will be displayed in a church.

Opposition parties and civic groups met Friday in Santa Cruz, Bolivia,  to also demand the resignation of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), which they have requested several times, because its members sided with the nation’s Constitutional Court to allow Morales to run a third term, a decision also backed by Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). Those present at the seven-hour long meeting Friday included Morales’ main opposition candidate and former president, Carlos Mesa, who refused to commit to any alliances with the several other opposition candidates, including Senator Edwin Rodriguez, a vice presidential candidate with the Democracy Party.