Happy US Embassy in Tehran Takeover Day!

[CountDeMoney]

Protesters clash with police in Tehran
Violence mars rally marking 30th anniversary of U.S. Embassy storming
NBC News and news services
updated 6:02 a.m. ET, Wed., Nov . 4, 2009

TEHRAN - Iranian security forces using batons and tear gas stormed anti-government marches in Tehran on Wednesday during state-sanctioned rallies marking the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy, NBC News and wire services reported.

"Large number of basij (militia) are patrolling the area on motorbikes to maintain order," NBC Producer Ali Arouzi said from Tehran. "Pockets of unrest are breaking out everywhere."

Police earlier clashed with supporters of opposition leader Mir Housein Mousavi, Reuters reported. A reformist Web site, Mowjcamp, said police opened fire on protesters at Haft-e Tir square, but there was no independent confirmation.

"Some people were injured," Mowjcamp reported.

Witnesses told The Associated Press that security forces — mainly paramilitary units from the Revolutionary Guard — swept through the opposition march in central Tehran, clubbing some protesters and kicking and slapping others.

There were no immediate reports on injuries or arrests in the clashes in Haft-e-Tir Square — about a half-mile from the annual anti-American gathering outside the former U.S. Embassy.

The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from authorities. Media restrictions imposed after the disputed presidential elections in June limit journalists to covering state media and government-approved events, such as the rally outside the former U.S. Embassy.

The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported that police used tear gas in other parts of the city to disperse protesters, making their first major show of force on the streets since September.

1979 hostage crisis
Iranian authorities had warned protesters against attempts to disrupt or overshadow the annual gathering outside the former U.S. Embassy, which was stormed by militants in 1979 in the turbulent months after the Islamic Revolution. A total of 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days.

Security forces fanned out around Tehran at daybreak on Wednesday after opposition leaders refused to call off their appeals for counter protests.

Volunteer militiamen linked to the Revolutionary Guard patrolled the streets on motorcycles — a familiar sight during the unrest following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election in June.

Many marchers Wednesday wore green scarves or wristbands that symbolized the campaign of Mir Housein Mousavi, who claims Ahmadinejad stole the election through vote fraud. Mousavi and his allies, including former President Mohammad Khatami, appeared to encourage opposition protesters to return to the streets.

The full extent of the opposition marches was not immediately clear. Hundreds were seen in Haf-e-Tir Square, some chanting "Death to the Dictator."

Other witnesses — also speaking on condition of anonymity — said about 2,000 students at Tehran University faced off against security forces, but there were no immediate reports of violence.

The clashes and confrontations marked the first significant public display of opposition unity since marches in late September that coincided with state-sponsored protests against Israel.

Authorities appeared determined to avoid opposition rallies overshadowing the 30th anniversary of the embassy takeover.

Anti-American banners
Thousands of people gathered outside the former embassy, waving anti-American banners and signs praising the Islamic Revolution.

The main speaker, hard-line lawmaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, denounced the United States as the main enemy of Iran. He did not mention the talks with the West, including the United States, on Iran's nuclear program.

In Washington, President Barack Obama noted the anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy and urged the two countries to move beyond the "path of sustained suspicion, mistrust and confrontation."

The hostage crisis "deeply affected the lives of courageous Americans who were unjustly held hostage, and we owe these Americans and their families our gratitude for their extraordinary service and sacrifice," Obama said in a statement.

Gee, thanks Mr. President.  Let's do that.

Meanwhile, back at Capone's hideout...

Israel navy seizes arms ship
Military: Vessel originated in Iran and was bound for Hezbollah militants
The Associated Press
updated 5:02 a.m. ET, Wed., Nov . 4, 2009

JERUSALEM - Israeli naval commandos seized an arms ship near Cyprus early Wednesday and towed it to an Israeli port, defense officials said — a rare interception that highlighted Israel's fears that Iran is arming its enemies.

Military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that the boat originated in Iran and its cargo was headed for Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon who have warred with Israel.

The defense officials said the arms cache included various missiles, including anti-tank missiles. The ship, whose weapons were being unloaded at the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, was disguised as an aid boat and was flying an Antiguan flag, they added.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the military had not yet officially released the information.

A senior Lebanese army official refused to comment on the report, saying it happened outside Lebanon's borders and outside the country's national waters. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement that the capture of the ship was "another success against the relentless attempts to smuggle weapons to bolster terrorist elements threatening Israel's security."

Routine patrol
Military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich said a naval unit on a routine patrol identified a cargo ship flying an Antigua flag about 100 miles west of Israel's coast and intercepted it without incident. She gave no details about the weapons and munitions on board or about the ship's crew.

In January 2002, Israeli forces stormed the Karine-A freighter as it was sailing on the Red Sea, and confiscated what the military said was 50 tons of weapons headed for Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been largely quiet since Israel and Hezbollah fought a fierce war in the summer of 2006. But Israel has long warned that Hezbollah fighters have been rearming and now possess some 40,000 rockets.

Gaza militants also have dramatically reduced their rocket attacks on southern Israel since a bruising winter war. But militants continue to smuggle in rockets and components through underground tunnels with Egypt, the Israeli military says.

On Tuesday, the head of military intelligence said Gaza's militant Hamas rulers recently test-fired a missile capable of striking Israel's largest urban center, metropolitan Tel Aviv.

[grumbler]

Also the 30th anniversary of me as a JG taking USS Berkeley out of Subic Bay with the XO, Navigator, and about 1/3 of the crew still on liberty! 

What a fustercluck that was.  Battle Group Delta got one of those flash "sortie in four hours" messages that we all knew could happen, but never did.

And this was all after we had just gotten back from a dash to the Korean coast after the assassination of Pak Chung Hee, and just before we were scheduled for a visit to Sasebo (where we had, in fact, been headed when diverted to Korea).

That deployment ended up lasting 11 months, and we never did make it to Japan. 

[CountDeMoney]

Also the 30th anniversary of me as a JG taking USS Berkeley out of Subic Bay with the XO, Navigator, and about 1/3 of the crew still on liberty! 

You got to alert with the crew you have, not the crew you wish you had.