The mainstream media for the most part has moved on. But there are a few more gleanings to be had, of perhaps the most interesting comes from the Daily Mirror, which labels al-Hilli an extremist on the grounds that he was against the war in Iraq, disapproved of the behaviour of Israel and had doubts over 9/11 – which makes a great deal of the population “extremist”. But the Mirror has the only mainstream mention I can find of the possibility that Mossad carried out the killings. Given Mr al-Hilli’s profession, the fact he is a Shia, the fact he had visited Iran, and the fact that Israel heas been assassinating scientists connected to Iran’s nuclear programme, this has to be a possibility. There are of course other possibilities, but to ignore that one is ludicrous.
Which leads me to the argument of Daily Mail crime reporter, Stephen Wright, that the French police should concentrate on the idea that this was a killing by a random Alpine madman or racist bigot. Perfectly possible, of course, and the anti-Muslim killings in Marseille might be as much a precedent as Mossad killings of scientists. But why the lone madman idea should be the preferred investigation, Mr Wright does not explain. What I did find interesting from a man who has visited many crime scenes are his repeated insinuations that the French authorities are not really trying very hard to find who the killers were, for example:
the crime scene would have been sealed off for a minimum of seven to ten days, to allow detailed forensic searches for DNA, fibres, tyre marks and shoe prints to take place.
Nearby bushes and vegetation would have been searched for any discarded food and cigarette butts left by the killer, not to mention the murder weapon.
But from what I saw at the end of last week, no such searches had taken place and potentially vital evidence could have been missed. House to house inquiries in the local area had yet to be completed and police had not made specific public appeals for information about the crime. No reward had been put up for information about the shootings.
Behind the scenes, what other short cuts have been taken? Have police seized data identifying all mobile phones being used in the vicinity of the murders that day?
The idea that the French authorities – who are quite as capable as any other of solving cases – are not really trying very hard is an interesting one.
Which leads me to this part of a remarkable article from the Daily Telegraph, which if true points us back towards a hit squad and discounts the ides that there was only one gun:
Claims that only one gun was used to kill everybody is likely to be disproved by full ballistics test results which are out in October.
While the 25 spent bullet cartridges found at the scene are all of the same kind, they could in fact have come from a number of weapons of the same make.
This throws up the possibility of a well-equipped, highly-trained gang circling the car and then opening fire.
Both children were left alive by the killers, who had clinically pumped bullets into everybody else, including five into Mr Mollier.
Zainab was found staggering around outside the car by Brett Martin, a British former RAF serviceman who cycled by moments after the attack, but he saw nobody except the schoolgirl.
Her sister, Zeena, was found unscathed and hiding in the car eight hours later.
Both sisters are now back in Britain, and are believed to have been reunited at a secret location near London.
There are of course a number of hit squad options, both governmental and private, which might well involve iraqi or Iranian interests – on both of which the mainstream media have been very happy to speculate while almost unanimously ignoring Israel.
But what interests me is why the Daily Telegraph choose, in the face of all the evidence, to minimise the horrific nature of the attack by stating that “Both children were left alive by the killers”? Zainab was not left alive by design, she was shot in the chest and her skull was stove in, which presumably was a pretty serious attempt to kill a seven year-old child. The other girl might very well have succeeded in hiding from the killers under her mother’s skirts, as she hid from the first rescuers, and then for eight hours from the police.
The Telegraph article claims to be informed by sources close to the investigation. So they believe it was a group of people, and feel motivated to absolve those people from child-killing. Now what could the Daily Telegraph be thinking?
Looking at mountains in a new light:
http://www.laguna-science.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44%3Afrejus-france-read-more&catid=18&Itemid=17
http://cerncourier.com/cws/article/cern/28486
More context for the history of the Haute-Savoie was that Berthollet was developing weapons for Napoleon, thus his travels to Egypt. Chemical weapons go way back.
NR 6:26PM your link to Jerusalem Post – again, the story goes back to the same Khalili who supposedly has sources within Iran’s intelligence and those guarding the Fordo facility.
This article is, however, sprinkled with inaccuracies. for example, the claim that the Fordo facility ” was kept secret by Iran, until it was discovered by Western intelligence in 2009, and the question of how long it had been in operation remains unanswered.” is not exactly true – it’s iran that disclosed its existence in 2009 – willingly enough. Some say it’s because it was “beaten to the punch” but who’s to believe anything any right wing paper says?
Khalili is well embedded with the American right wing, and Jerusalem Post is generally of a step with these ideologies. So again, it’s really interesting, the slightly different take by JPost – the right wing paper and Haaretz, the more left-leaning voice – the former less doubting than the latter. Jpost does not even mention how low Khalili’s credibility is but Haaretz’s Pfeiffer does.
The sequence of the disclosures seems to be as follows:
First Kahalili for his own sources, sometime on Thursday last week, 3 days after the supposed event.
Note that this account is then picked up by Times of Israel, Die Welt, Times of London, some right wing
blogs within a few days. The times claims to have israeli source(s0 corroborating the account.
Second Silversten from his own israeli source about 3 days later, claiming a “scoop”.
Followed by more accounts from Haaretz, JPost, etc.
Whatever the sequence, the sources for the story are from (1) an Iranian “dissident’ operative claiming “insider’ information (2) high placed israeli security and/or intelligence sources, who leak what they do when they do for reasons they know best.
What’s missing from this picture are independent sources that are neither Israel nor Iran.
Bluebird 8:21 AM – good speculations. We would, indeed be fools not to speculate along these lines seeing the reports on the Fordow explosion (true, partially true or false).
As you know I liked the trojan Horses idea as a possible reason for the Chevaline killings (whoever and however many got killed). Like you say, being an informant, plater of information or leaker getting caught are very good reasons for getting oneself offed. One of my speculative suggestions – which was along similar lines to Tim V’s – was that Saad (and possibly Sylvain as well) was coerced into spying on or helping sabotage Iranian interests. This would explain his obvious discomfort, indications of fear for his safety and desire to move out of the UK (back to Iraq?). If we accept this hypothsis (and that’s all it is) then the story bifurcates along at least two lines: either he was willing agent but one wanting out who was talked into doing “one last thing”, or he wasn’t willing and did what he did under coersion, possibly even turning around and leaking to Iran what was afoot. If it’s the first possibility, iran would have every reason to be rid of him, which would tie motives for the killings up neatly (as a revenge act) except for the glaring problem of the MO being all wrong for Iranian agents – as i said before. The second possibility will point strongly at Mossad (+/- rogue CIA) as the killers with most motive and means and whose MO fits the case quite well. Basically, the second possibility (Saad + possibly Mollier as another conduit being reluctant Trojan Horses who found ways of “spilling some beans”) ties quite nicely with the symbolism, the vengeance, the ‘setting an example” and the need for a cover-up, especially from the French.
For those reasons, I am leaning to the second possibility as the more likely one. Of course, there are numerous side-trails in either case, such as a triple cross where the Iranian agents Saad thought he was in contact with were really undercover Mossad/MEK or in contact with the latter. Something like this would have had to be the case for the discovery of the double cross. hardly a surprise given the murkiness of that world where no one is probably quite what they seem.
Then, there is that funny timing that I just noticed – again – thanks to the posts above pointing out that incident reported in August where that funny little “rock” was discovered. Quite strange if true – how would someone know where to look, unless there was a tip-off? then a couple weeks latter we have the “slaughter of horses”. Funny I forgot about that.
Kahlil reported that at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 21, the day before Israel’s general elections, a large explosion occurred 100 meters deep inside the underground plant, trapping 240 nuclear staff in the third centrifuge chamber. Among them, he said, were Iranian and Ukrainian technicians.
There was no information about casualties or the extent of damage to the 2,700 centrifuges which have been turning out 20-percent enriched uranium.
Khalil cited his source as Hamidreza Zakeri, a former Iranian Intelligence Ministry agent, who said the regime believes the blast was sabotage and the explosives could have reached the area disguised by the CIA as equipment imported for the site or defective machinery.
None of the information about an explosion at Fordo has been verified either by US officials or regime sources in Tehran.
Thursday, Jan. 24, Israel’s Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and Military Intelligence Director Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi ceremonially promoted Col. G., commander of the elite Sayeret Matkal, to the rank of major general in recognition of his unit’s “outstanding covert operations.”
This must be regarde as a significant international news story yet nothing about it on the BBC 6 o’clock news. Not only, if it is correct, was there huge damage but this remember in an urananium processing plant and so we may assume radioactive comtamination which will further endanger lives of survivors and hamper rescue/repair operations. The question remains how could sufficiently powered explosive material be brought into the plant. This was obviously long time in the planning and may well have been what Joe Biden had in mind during the vice presidential debates when he stated emphatically Iran would not get the bomb.
Given the nature of the explosion, it could be a game changer. America has been anxious to stop Israel getting directly involved with an attack despite a Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu order to do so two years ago that the generals refused to carry out. This is likely to have been a US operation that kept Israel informed rather than the opposite I’m thinking.
Now let’s hypothesise how the Chevaline murders fit into it. What is the persuasive scenario that fits? Let me kick off with a couple of suggestions.
Areva with long time association with Iran was well placed to supply both technical information and the raw materials from its African (Mali/Alerian?) uranium mine, possibly through intermediaries. Mollier working for two decades for Cezus, specializing in tetanium products essential for nuclear processing and power generation, might well have got to a position of trust and access to documentation. We know a Sylvain Mollier was an important member of the French atomic monitoring group but we dont know if it was the same one. We do know however that both he and his father were politically active leaning towards a form of French nationalism linked to socialist leanings. How this would work out in terms of Nato, the EC or relationships with Israel/Syria/Iran and Palestine is a matter of conjecture. Given his political leanings we may assume he would take a pro democratic, pro working class and probably pro atheistic stance although all of this of course must remain as wholly speculative.
Various options present themselves if Mollier was embroiled in clandestine activity. He may have acted in some espionage related activeity for many years or he may have known about it for many years – a different thing. His recent dramatic change in circumstances – leaving long-term employment and going on extended leave which we must assume was unpaid; the break-up of his marriage; a new relationship and child; the death of his father; getting to forty five and likely “mid-life crisis”; financial diificuly (divorce is always expensive); big animosity from the new “in-laws” – all this would suggest to me he might be amenable to doing something out of character and new. In other words more likely that the action that caused his death, was of recent creation although it might well have drawn on years of expertise and inside information. I am suggesting this points to spilling the beans about Cezus and Areva rather than having been an historical conduit for sensitive information.
If this was so how could this information have been used and by whom? Conversely who and why would someone consider it so treacherous or damaging so as to require he be murdered? Was Mollier a long term asset/agent? I am suggesting not. Maybe he had leanings that way but this long spell of leave – we don’t really know why, or the state of mind it produced. Had he opted for it voluntarily because he was dissatisfied or disallusioned with what was happening. Or was it forced on him for undiscloesed misdemeanours? In either case there is a predisposing pschological for “getting his own back” which if linked to some financial incentive, might have been overwhelming.
We have faily solid evidence of SAH being monitored by British Intelligence, so American and Israeli also it is fair to assume. We have no indication for Mollier other than his work and political membership. It is possible he had been recruited by any of these plus a few more. If he had which would be the most likely? Iran/Iraq might have valued his technical know-how, but he would not be much use to tell them what they already knew if the parent company was doing clandestine deals with them. Israel might have had him so they knew of these if they were happening but they would probably need someone in a more senior position. Britain might use him to keep tabs on the French and any relationship they had with particularly Iran but not excluding others.
Much depends on SAH’s role on all this. Was he working to British Government (MI5/6) direction or on his own initiative? Or was he working for a foreign power? Or was there an element of all three? For example as we have discussed many times, this trip might have been orchestrated by the British to appears as if he was willing to be a conduit to convey sensitive information to Iran shall we say, when in fact it was merely a fishing mission to discover routes and contacts, never the less interpretated as genuine by the other side.
As I have asked many times, was the critical information coming from Mollier to Al Hilli or vice versa? Or did they both have something to contribute that made it necessary for them both to be there to meet the third party. Why was it so important to kill them together than separately? Was it just easier or was there danger that if only one side eliminated the other would spill the beans?
There are of course many other options but hopefully this will prompt some to respond so that we can get closer to whatever reasoning caused their demise.
What if Mollier, to some dree, was aware of the method being employed to convey fissile material, or defective materials into the Iranian plant, and was prepared to share this with what he thought was a sympathetic conduit to the Iranians (SAH) on the promise of money? Such a scheme was set up to enable SAH British masters information on an operation from which they were being excuded? The killers saw this as an opportunity to have done with questionable assets and the danger that the specifics of their plan would leak. They pretend to be agents of the Iranian State and get both the Al Hillis and Mollier together so no risk of leakage would exist. They spare the British representative on scene, but nevertheless send a clear meassage to British Intelligence to keep their interfering nose out of the Middle East and Iran in particular? Just an idea? Have we anything substantive to back it up or is it all poppycock?
HA HA GET THIS …… ! Do we have the key we have been looking for all this time? I would say this supports above theories. If this under cover operation was a Trojan Horse as we have previously noted, Chevaline (killing the horses (agents) threatening the Trojan Horse) makes sense I would say.
from the Silverstein artical Marlin referred us to:
“http://www.richardsilverstein.com/2013/01/27/scoop-irans-fordo-nuclear-plant-extensively-damaged-by-sabotage/
“A highly-placed Israeli source informs me that Iran’s uranium enrichment facility at Fordo has been extensively damaged by an explosion. The bomb was the work of a joint Israeli-U.S.-MEK sabotage operation codenamed Achilles (N.B. ACHILLES !!!!!), which used a Trojan horse (N.B. TROJAN HORSE!!!!) to infiltrate the plant.”
Looks like I/we have been spot-on then?
“Bibi Netanyahu convened an extraordinary meeting of all the top intelligence and military brass on Wednesday, the day after the election, to evaluate Achilles. They deemed it a “great success.” Word of the meeting leaked to the media, so the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a cover story saying the meeting was about the Syrian situation (Hebrew). It wasn’t.”
“Such sabotage has happened before to Iranian nuclear facilities. But one of the things that is new about this operation is that this is the first time in his previous reporting that my source has told me the U.S. and MEK collaborated with the Mossad. Previous assassinations were joint efforts of only the MEK and Israel. If this is true, it may mean that the State Department’s removal of the MEK from the U.S. terror list has allowed the CIA to begin working with the Iranian group in a much more direct fashion. Those of us who know about the nature of the MEK can only be alarmed that our government is allying itself with a terrorist cult.”
*sorry “article”
Nanotitanium:
http://www.google.com/patents/US20070044876
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:wlPsQIA1DtsJ:www.ishpmie.gig.eu/files/file/konferencje/IXISHPMIE/ish009.pdf+&hl=en&gl=ca&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESh_9X0GNeCcMfDhktcOg8A64id69cILQfsV3CnNEBMhtESHdKwuo4kBIPGw3d0sIahWJ5_64v0FC7Dx-iV5WrQe0J7DeEufWvN9Hf_0NQ60Q3diHtz8qWUHuBXqz3G-ZzreAxm7&sig=AHIEtbTX56xGfklZ8zmzLitDRvSpCJJyPQ
Marlin
28 Jan, 2013 – 5:10 am is this Silverstein any relation to larry silverstein the infamous owner of the lease on the Twin Towers who made billions of dollars profit from the insurance that he presciently specifically included terrorist attack, thus avoiding the multi million dollar bill for asbestos removal at the same time, and giving the order “to pull” the third tower untouched by “planes”? “I think we should be told.”
One of the sequels to the Twin Tower debacle was that by avoiding asbestos removal and instead relying on the “terrorist attack” the asbestos was helpfully spead everywhere in a massive airborne contamination that all those on site must have breathed. We shall now have to await the the spike in asbestos deaths for the next thirty years or so. Will the American people ever demand a criminal investigation for one of the greatest crimes on record, yet to be held?
I follow your reasoning Tim V with interest and much of it tracks with my own (cf for example, my response above to BB). So let me try and elaborate a bit along lines you suggested, which I think come with some high likelihood paths.
I am especially partial to the idea that Mollier knew something and was willing to pass on to someone he may have believed would be a conduit to Iran and/or the Brits. He could have been previously part of British espionage on the French or not, but if he was and Areva found out he e leaked sensitive stuff to the brits, that would be reason enough to give him a prolonged leave of absence. Since he wasn’t actually fired and/or prosecuted, it must have been something less grievous than actual treason and/or he might have been protected by the Brits, who, after all, are supposed to be french allies. But then things get complicated with the new family and he needs money, maybe is still pissed about the disciplinary action from employer and so is taking it to the next level, basically spilling more beans to more places. Somehow WBM is involved in tracking Mollier – too much of a coincidence with both bicycling up the same path at about the same time.
SAH could have well been a british asset as well, one used as an independent channel to Iranians, the Brits trying to run a circle around the israelis. Somewhere along the line, a meeting is arranged, with Mollier likely to be the one passing information to SAH. The reason for the location is simply because that’s near where Mollier lives but they don’t wish to be observed by any locals, hence the isolated spot.
Unfortunately, the identity and presence of the killers is where the scene gets murky. I still think that there is a good probability that the ones SAH was communicating with – who he may have believed to be Iranians. may have been double agents, working most likely for israel, who had it in for both Mollier and Saad but are obviously also annoyed with the Brits for playing on what they consider “their turf”. I like your suggestion Tim that they spared WBM but issued a clear “stay away” message to the brits. The French have no choice but cover up everything as best they can being completely implicated in all sorts of shenanigans. Which leaves the brits are quietly fuming, no doubt plotting their next move.
As for what was leaked to the Iranians and when, I keep going back to that discovery of the mysterious rock in August that was reportedly used for communications and exploded. Someone told the Iranians where to look – such things don’t get discovered by total coincidence – it appears to have been rather expertly hidden. Then again, this is something the Iranians chose to disclose publicly. We don’t know what else they chose not to disclose, do we?
sorry if my comments appear a bit outdated but i m still working throgh earlier contribution and just got to 8.30! Sorry to be such a tortoise to all you hares lol.
Tim V, 8:17Pm. No, this Richard Silverstein bears no relation to the Larry Silverstein you speak of, as best I can tell (though I imagine he’d love to have such a rich relative, if somewhat unseemly). Richard is a Jewish iconoclast who is fiercely opposed to the israeli occupation and the general , near-fascist direction israel is going, bit by bit. He has been an activist for quite a while in the Seattle area and in the past few years reinvented his blog to be more about disclosures from israel about all kinds of malfeasance. He can do more than others sometimes because he does read hebrew, having spent – by his own account – some time in Israel, and often translates interesting things from their articles that otherwise don’t get to be seen in English. He does a good service I think in that regard – letting the world see some of the underbelly of the so-called “Jewish” state (which he thinks is being very un-jewish in much of what it does). Unfortunately he is a bit too fascinated with the machinations of the israeli intelligence apparatus and tends to give a bit too much credence to his sources, IMO. If I know anything at all about Israelis it’s that they can’t resist an opportunity to brag, especially about some supposed derring-do. That’s why you find me a bit of a skeptic about the purported explosion in Fordo. It just smells too much like a brag to me.
BTW, that doesn’t mean that something didn’t happen – it just may be not as severe as reported – or not quite along those lines. best to stay dubious a while longer.
NR
28 Jan, 2013 – 9:55 am – An explosion underground in a facility devoted to concentrating uranium can only lead to a catastrophe for anyone working there. First they are trapped; second they are subject to raised levels of radiation; third the ability of rescuers to get to them will be obstructed by both physical barriers and radiation levels. What rescue operations have been undertaken? Can you imagine this as a news item if it occurred in the United States?
Being under ground it might be quite possible for the radiation to be contained unless ventilation ducts are still operating. I suppose Iran may wish to keep it quiet but why the secrecy from US and Israel. Compare and contrast Osama Bin Lada.
Asked why satellite imagery was not being released of rescue efforts at Fordow, Kahlili said only state intelligence agencies have access to live satellite feeds. “Why don’t they put it out? My only assumption is that no one wants to take credit because of what the consequences could be by the regime,” he said. “This is a very sensitive time. I’m sure that soon, very soon, more information will leak out. Chatter will get loud enough to provide further information.” Kahlili went on to say that the “first suspicion is Israel” within the Islamic Republic. “I have verified information that there was a meeting [called by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei. A decision was made to act in Lebanon. A request was made to [Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah to vacate southern Lebanese villages. Islamic Republic Guards are on their way there. A decision has been made to prepare for missile launch from a certain area in Lebanon against Israel,” he said. Asked why satellite imagery was not being released of rescue efforts at Fordow, Kahlili said only state intelligence agencies have access to live satellite feeds. “Why don’t they put it out? My only assumption is that no one wants to take credit because of what the consequences could be by the regime,” he said. “This is a very sensitive time. I’m sure that soon, very soon, more information will leak out. Chatter will get loud enough to provide further information.” Kahlili went on to say that the “first suspicion is Israel” within the Islamic Republic. “I have verified information that there was a meeting [called by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei. A decision was made to act in Lebanon. A request was made to [Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah to vacate southern Lebanese villages. Islamic Republic Guards are on their way there. A decision has been made to prepare for missile launch from a certain area in Lebanon against Israel,” he said. http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=301230
Is this the start of the end?
Iranian authorities have not yet made any progress in their attempt to enter Fordow, Kahlili asserted, adding, “I fear there is radiation involved.” Iran’s defense ministry dispatched drilling vehicles, “the same they used to carve tunnels and create underground facilities, to see if they can make any headway in opening emergency exists, because they collapsed. Among those stuck in the facility are dozens of foreign nationals. These are contracted scientists,” he said.
Kahlili said a second mysterious blast occurred in Tehran last week, at an IRGC base called “21 Hamza.” “There are injuries, and there have been arrests of IRGC members who are being questioned. The Intelligence Ministry suspects sabotage,” he added.
If reliable, the explosion will have killed many of the scientists and technologists, thus meeting another objective.
Q
28 Jan, 2013 – 8:14 pm this certainly sounds like a possibility. What we can be sure about is that what ever went into that plant wasn’t marked “TNT”. It had to go in looking and feeling like something that was meant to be there. The secret would be to make a metal that acted as an explosive. The next question who would supply such a thing. Its unlikely it would be made in Iran. It waould probably require specialist manufacture. Where did/does Iran source their equipment, especially with embargo in place. If it pre dates embargo, it means long term planning, in situ but just awaiting the right moment. What if Areva/Cezus was the source. What if Al Hilli becomes aware of it? What if a dead line is approaching and he believes urgent intervention is required to stop it happening, given the retaliation that may follow, then total melt down to be the excuse for the mayhem in Iran that he has witnessed in Iraq. Might he try to warn Iran using Mollier as technical confirmation and believing he was meeting agents of Iran, but trapped in a Israeli/US set-up designed to prevent their secret. This is now shaping up but still not clear about that elusive man at the camp site. Part of the sting?
@Felix: Isn’t it odd that this company had one of its staff at the al-Hilli campsite?
http://www.britannialanes.co.uk/european.php
Presumably, they can also move vehicles.
Am I the only one who sees that coincidence?
Quote
Kahlili, a pseudonym used to protect him from the Iranian regime, published A Time To Betray in 2010, in which he described a journey which took him from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to being a CIA agent in the 1980s.
++++
K A Hilli was the name of Kadhim al Hilli in the British cencus records.
Kahlili … Change the position of the “L” and the “I”
A lot of weird coincidences …
Twitter account of KAhlili.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Reza_Kahlili/tweets
Can anybody look about what he posted in the days after 9/5/2012?
See the timely coincidence in the following reports:
http://atimetobetray.com/blog/covert-op-to-target-irans-nuclear-plants/?utm_term=%23iran+%23iranelection+@cnnbrk+@foxnews&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://atimetobetray.com/blog/spanish-police-say-seized-items-intended-for-iran-nuclear-program/?utm_term=%23iran+%23iranelection+@cnnbrk+@foxnews&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://atimetobetray.com/blog/naples-arms-seizure-busts-irans-balkan-italian-arms-smuggling-routes/?utm_term=%23iran+%23iranelection+@cnnbrk+@foxnews&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Agree with you Marlin
28 Jan, 2013 – 8:50 pm. What we have are the possibilities – even likelihoods. These Iranian explosions with Achillies and his horse is the link I’m feeling. If true this is a BIG DEAL not only for the consequences to Iranian plans (the base could be out of action permantly because of the radiation. They will also have lost many of their experts. God knows what has happened to those not killed but trapped. However everything depends on how Iran reacts. They may keep it under wraps because they have no stomach for retaliation against Israel which would probably be the excuse American war lords are looking for, or indeed Israeli use of the A bomb. “Back us up America or we will” may well be an impossible position for Obama. So we now have the whole of N Africa in disarray plus Iraq and Syria. Is this what America was looking for to establish its unchallenged hegemony? And how will this news, if true, will play on the Iranian public? On top of the unrest about election corruption will it result in greater support fot the government or recriminations that such a thing was allowed to happen. If Al hilli was in the process of trying to let fellow Shias know not only the general intention but the specific method (with Mollier’s help) CIA/Mossad would not hesitate to “neutralise” the threat. France would facilitate to prevent information of their complicity escaping. Still not sure if MI5 were just tracking or trying to discover what the other two agencies were up to. I agree with you about that 3 year (!!!) leave of absence. What firm does that? If the blot on his copybook was marginal infringements or suspicion, leave might be preferable to sacking, which can lead to greater attention being drawn to it. Also if it was to Britain an ally, it is more tricky. Four options for spies: quietly hush it up; allow them to run away; prosecute or kill (accident/suicide etc) Maybe having tried the cover-up, this meeting was a step too far?
Good point Bluebird
28 Jan, 2013 – 10:51 pm. Them blue remembered hillis.
Bluebird
28 Jan, 2013 – 11:45 pm this is difficult to understand. Why would a CIA agent k a h pre empt secret plans to sabotage the Iranian nuclear progamme at the beginning of January, presumably with State Department/White House permission? It doesn’t make sense does it?
More voices of doubt raised. here’s a summary that alludes to an article I’d recommend by Ali Gharib who writes at the Daily Beast:
http://antiwar.com/blog/2013/01/28/israeli-officials-peddle-false-stories-of-explosion-in-iran/
Something is not adding up about this story – clearly it all has to do with this dubious character Reza Khalili who writes on a mostly discredited web site WND. This individual, purporting to be an escaped Iranian “dissident” goes around the country – invited strictly by neocon outfits and bottom feeding right wing outlets to spread various anti-Iran myths, usually urging immediate bombing runs by one and all.
The US has now denied such an explosion took place, rather unequivocally – saw that on a Reuters news item. And as the article I cited from haaretz, the story is treated with some distance by sources inside Israel as well.
But the question raised by several – including the articles I brought up is why have certain israeli elements seen fit to pick up on that Khalili item ( which would have otherwise disappeared in a couple of days) and started peddling it vigorously – apparently also to bloggers such as Richard Silverstein and to Times of London and other papers. Something may be afoot with all this – but it could be just some kind of a political inside game inside israel.
I do urge people here to treat this story of the Fordow explosions with some caution. For myself, I am not ready to link anything I read in the news with Chevaline just yet.
Could the explosion be Iran’s first nuclear test in a bunker?
It’s been over a week since the alleged Fordow explosion. Plenty of time for private satellite imaging companies to have acquired pics. You’d think at least one major medium would spend US$150.00 to determine if the reports are true.
But who benefits by planting a false story?