Hadron collider restarted after two-year upgrade

SCIENCE
Hadron collider restarted after two-year upgrade

World's largest particle smasher set in motion as scientists seek answers as to how universe came into existence.

05 Apr 2015 18:39 GMT | Science, Science & Technology, Europe

The UPGRADE saw the Large Hadron Collider shut down for two years [AP]

The world's largest particle smasher has been restarted after a two-year upgrade that will allow physicists to explore uncharted corners of the matter that makes up the universe.

"After two years of intense maintenance and several months of preparation for restart, the Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful particle accelerator in the world, is back in operation," the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) said.

Experiments at the collider have been seeking to unlock clues as to how the universe came into existence by studying fundamental particles, the building blocks of all matter, and the forces that control them.

The upgrade - which saw the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) shut down in February 2013 - was intended to nearly double the collider's maximum collision capacity.

Its previous highest power was eight teraelectronvolts (TeV) reached in 2012, but after the two-year overhaul, it will first reach 13 TeV and can potentially be cranked up to a maximum 14 TeV.
CERN said earlier that if all went well with the start-up particle collisions "at an energy of 13 TeV" could start as early as June.

Dark matter

During the next phase of the LHC programme, researchers will probe a conceptual frontier called new physics, including antimatter and dark matter.

Dark matter is thought to make up some 96 percent of the stuff of the universe while being totally invisible, and super-symmetry, or SUSY, is under which all visible particles have unseen counterparts.

"If I had to BET on what we will find, I would go for SUSY," said Oliver Buchmueller, a scientist on one of the four machines around the ring that records each collision. "But we could also find something very, very unexpected," he added.

"This is what makes life on the energy frontier so exciting."

The latter is a theoretical type of matter that cannot be seen with telescopes but is thought to make up most of the universe.

Ordinary, visible matter comprises only about four percent of the known universe.

In 2012, the LHC was used to prove the existence of Higgs Boson, the particle that confers mass, EARNING the 2013 Nobel prize for two of the scientists who, back in 1964, had theorised the existence of the "God particle".

Source: Agencies

``புதிய அரசு``: Troops, Camps Remain in North - Army Commander

No military camps have been withdrawn to release land to the original owners. 

[UPDATED :: 2015-04-01 17:20:33 Hours || Home]
 

In his first newspaper interview with our sister paper Silumina, the newly-appointed Army Commander, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, said that the troops deployed in the North have not been withdrawn as well as the military camps.

Pledging to raise the professional standards of the Sri Lanka Army to new heights, the Commander said that safeguarding territorial sovereignty was of paramount importance and promised to to take all measures to prevent the resurgence of militancy in the North.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What is your primary responsibility as the new Army chief?

A: My main responsibility as the Commander of the Army is to ensure national SECURITY. The President and myself are fully committed to achieving national SECURITY.

We will do our best to prevent any threats being posed to our national security and challenge our territorial integrity. The Army is maintained by public FUNDS and is duty-bound to protect the people and the country.

Q: What about the security in the North and the East, post war?

A: No military camps have been withdrawn to release land to the original owners. Neither troops nor camps will be withdrawn from the North. Private lands adjacent to various Army camps have been released from time to time, after the war ended in May 2009.

Q: There are apprehensions about the possibility of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) regrouping with the support of sections of the Tiger diaspora and the re-emergence of militancy in the North. What is your assessment?

A: We are extremely alert and watch the situation very carefully. Every step will be taken to ensure national security. There will be zero tolerance of any acts of terror.

Q: Are you happy with the current security arrangements in the North?

A: Yes, the Army is conscious of its responsibilities and the area is made quite secure.

Q: Questions have been raised about the strength of the Army. Are you going to downsize it?

A: The reason for the maintenance of troops is to ensure national security. The military hardware, troops and weaponry will be secured and maintained according to the requirements of the country.

Q: Can you explain if there is a link between the Army and the Avant Garde floating armoury?

A: The matter is sub judice. We have acted according to the instructions issued by the Defence Ministry.

I want the Army to be a well-disciplined, professional body. Reputation is extremely important to any army. A positive public perception of the Army depends on its professional COMPETENCE, sense of responsibility and the gallantry displayed in thwarting threats to national security.

Q: The government has halted an expensive Pentagon-style army headquarters project, initiated by the former government.What are your comments?
A: You should ask the Defence Ministry.

Q: Do you believe the criteria for being promoted within the military should be primarily seniority and merit?

A: I believe it is both. It is a prime requirement that there should be the ability to manage troops and operations.

Q: The media had recently reported that soldiers have been detailed to provide security to the children of former military top brass. Is this true?

A: No soldiers have been deployed in the manner described. I have not come across such a situation after I assumed duties.

Q: There were media reports that King Elara's golden cart was discovered when the foundation stone was laid for the construction of the Sandahiru Seya . Is this correct?

A: I have no knowledge about it and have not heard anything so far.

Courtesy :- Sunday Observer

See Sinhala one :( www.army.lk/sinhala.php )

Houthi fighters set condition for peace talks

யேமன்:உலக மறுபங்கீட்டு அணிசேர்க்கை

Yemeni rebels 'ready for talks' if air strikes stop
Houthi fighters set condition for peace talks amid reports that they have gained ground in southern city of Aden.
05 Apr 2015 17:40 GMT |

Yemen's Shia rebels are open to peace talks if the Saudi-led coalition bombing their positions halts aerial attacks against them, a senior Houthi member said.

Saleh al-Sammad, who was an advisor to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, said that if the offer for talks is accepted, negotiations will be mediated by "non-aggressive" parties.

"We still stand by our position on dialogue and we demand its CONTINUATION despite everything that has happened, on the basis of respect and acknowledging the other," said al-Sammad, in answers emailed to the Reuters news agency.

"We have no conditions except a halt to the aggression and sitting on the dialogue table within a specific time period ... and any international or regional parties that have no aggressive positions towards the Yemeni people can oversee the dialogue," Sammad said, without specifying who they might be.

Al-Sammad also said that Yemenis reject the return of Hadi, who fled to Saudi Arabia after the rebels, known as Houthis, moved closer to his southern base of Aden last month.

Warplanes and ships from a Saudi-led coalition have been bombing the Iran-allied Houthi forces for 11 days in a bid to drive back the Houthis and restore Hadi. UN BROKERED peace talks in the preceding weeks between Hadi and the Houthis had failed.

Gains in Aden 
The comments came amid reports that the rebels, supported by army units, have gained ground in the southern city of Aden, despite CONTINUING air strikes.

The rebel forces reportedly edged close to the port of Mualla, which is defended by militiamen of "popular committees" loyal to Hadi. 

 Residents reported hearing sporadic gunfire and blasts of rocket-propelled grenades. Summer Nasser, a human rights activist and blogger, told Al Jazeera that she had to leave her home in Aden because of the fighting.

"Conditions are devastating actually, we've heard shelling by Houthis on homes, civilians killed. There's no electricity, water. I feel like the humanitarian crisis in Aden is actually getting
worse by the hour," she said.

Aden, the last foothold of supporters of Hadi, has been shaken by more than a week of fierce clashes between the Houthis and Hadi loyalists.

At least 185 dead and 1,282 wounded from the clashes have been counted in hospitals in Aden since March 26, the city's health department director al-Kheder Lassouar said on Saturday.

On Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said that there was an urgent need for fighting to halt in the worst-affected areas, including Sanaa and Aden.

Russia also called on the United Nations SECURITY Council to push for pauses in Saudi-led air strikes.

Evacuations 
Ahmed Asiri, the coalition's spokesman, said on Sunday Saudi Arabia was “quite keen not to hit any civilians and keen for those who will do the evacuation to go in and do their job”.

Several foreign governments have stepped up evacuation operations to get their citizens and other expatriates out of Yemen.

India has successfully evacuated at least 1,800 of its nationals, according to Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs, who tweeted on Sunday that their forces also rescued at least 170 foreign nationals from 20 other countries to neighbouring Djibouti.
Algeria evacuated 160 of its citizens, the country's state news agency APS reported, adding that 40 Tunisians, 15 Mauritians, 8 Libyans, 3 Moroccans, and a Palestinian were also rescued by their forces.

France released footage of the evacuation of 44 foreigners from Yemen, including several French citizens.

China, Djibouti, Egypt and Sudan, along with two aid groups, were scheduled to carry out evacuations from Sunday while requests from others including Canada, Germany and Iraq were
being processed, the coalition has said.

Houthis make gains in Yemen's Aden, approach port

Houthis make gains in Yemen's Aden, approach port
World | Sun Apr 5, 2015 5:49am EDT Related: WORLD, YEMEN ADEN

(Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi militiamen, supported by army units, gained ground in the southern city of Aden on Sunday, pushing back loyalists of the Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Residents took refuge in their homes and reported hearing sporadic gunfire and blasts of rocket-propelled grenades, and one witness saw a Houthi tank in the downtown Mualla district, which sits astride Aden's main commercial port.

Houthi forces have inched forward in street-fighting in the city despite an 11-day nationwide bombing campaign by a Saudi-led coalition aimed at halting the Iran-allied group and protecting Hadi's last bastion of support in the country.

Saudi planes parachuted weapons to Hadi's armed supporters there on Friday, helping them temporarily beat back Houthi advances.

The crates of light weapons, telecommunications equipment and rocket-propelled grenades were parachuted into Aden's Tawahi district, on the far end of the Aden peninsula which is still
held by Hadi loyalists, fighters told Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has said defending Aden's government is a "main objective" of its mission and Hadi's administration has called for a foreign ground intervention into the beleaguered city.

Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi ambassador to the United States, said sending ground troops remained "on the table" and the operation's spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri declined to comment on media reports of Saudi special forces there.

In six months of fighting, the Shi'ite Muslim Houthis have seized much of Yemen's north and center but have faced stiff resistance in the country's Sunni south, raising fears of a sectarian civil war.

In the city of Lawdar about 200km east of Aden, 10 Houthi fighters and allied soldiers were killed in clashes which also killed four local tribesmen on Sunday, residents said.

(Reporting By Mohammed Mukhashaf; Writing by Noah Browning; Editing by Jon Boyle)

பா.ஜ.க.அரசின் நில அபகரிப்பை எதிர்த்து கழகம் பிரச்சார இயக்கம்!

பிரிட்டிஷ் அரசு கொண்டுவந்த 1894 சட்டத்தில் கூட நியாயம் கேட்க நீதிமன்றத்தை அணுகமுடியும். ஆனால் பா.ஜ.க. அரசு கொண்டு வந்துள்ள இந்த சட்டத்தில் அதற்கு வழியேயில்லை. காங்கிரஸ் அரசின் சட்டம்
கார்ப்பரேட் நலன்களை ‘பொதுநலன்’ என்று கருதுவதைப் போலவே, பா.ஜ.க. அரசு கொண்டுவந்த இந்தச் சட்டமும் கார்ப்பரேட் நலன்களை ‘பொது நலன்’ என்று கருதினாலும், காங்கிரஸ் அரசு கொண்டுவந்த சட்டத்தில் விவசாயிகளுக்கு அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள சில சலுகைகள் கூட இச்சட்டத்தில் கைவிடப்படுகிறன.
* தற்போது பா.ஜ.க. அரசு கொண்டுவந்துள்ள சட்டத்தில் முப்போகம் விளையும் நிலங்களைக் கூட கையகப்படுத்தலாம்.
 * தற்போது பா.ஜ.க. அரசு கொண்டுவந்துள்ளச் சட்டம், 13 துறைகளுக்கு காங்கிரஸ் அரசு அளித்திருந்த விதிவிலக்குகளைக் கைவிட்டுள்ள அதே நேரத்தில், ரியல் எஸ்டேட் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு துறைகளை விதிவிலக்கு பட்டியலில் கொண்டு வந்துள்ளது.
* பா.ஜ.க. அரசின் சட்டப்படி, அரசுத் துறைகளுக்கு மட்டுமின்றி, எந்த ஒரு தனியார் முதலாளிகளுக்காக நிலத்தைக் கையகப்படுத்துவதாக இருந்தாலும் விவசாயிகளின் ஒப்புதலை அரசு கேட்கத் தேவையில்லை.
 * அப்பகுதியைச் சேர்ந்த நிலமற்ற கூலி விவசாயிகள், கைவினைஞர்கள் போன்றோருக்கு நிவாரணம் தரத் தேவையில்லை.
* சுற்றுச் சூழல் பாதிப்பு குறித்துப் பரிசீலிக்கத் தேவையில்லை.
 *  கையகப்படுத்திய நிலம் 20 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பயன்படுத்தாமல் இருந்தாலும் அதைத் திருப்பித்தர வேண்டியதில்லை.
*  ‘தனியார்’ என்பதை ஒரு தொழில் நிறுவனம் என்று காங்கிரஸ் கட்சியின் 2013ஆம் ஆண்டு சட்டம் வரையறுத்திருந்தது. ஆனால் பா.ஜ.க. அரசின் சட்டப்படி ‘தனியார்’ என்பது நபராகவோ தன்னார்வ நிறுவனமாகவோக் கூட இருக்கலாம்.
 * அதுமட்டுமல்ல, தனியார் சுயநிதிக் கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள், தனியார் மருத்துவ மனைகள் ஆகியவற்றையும் ‘பொதுச்சேவை’ என்று வரையறுத்துள்ளது. அவற்றிற்கு விளை நிலத்தைக் கையகப்படுத்தித் தரும் பொறுப்பை அரசு ஏற்றுக்கொள்கிறது.
* நிலத்தின் சந்தை விலையைத் தீர்மானிப்பது உள்ளிட்டு, இந்தச் சட்டத்தை அமலாக்கும் அரசதிகாரம் பெற்ற மத்திய, மாநில அரசு அதிகாரிகள் முறைகேட்டில் ஈடுபட்டாலும் அவர்களுக்கு எதிராக பாதிக்கப்பட்டோர் வழக்குத் தொடுக்க முடியாது. அரசின் அனுமதி பெறாதபட்சத்தில் அதை நீதிமன்றமும் விசாரிக்கக் கூடாது.

இவைதான் பா.ஜ.க. அரசு கொண்டுவந்துள்ள நிலத்தைக் கையகப்படுத்தும் சட்டத்தின் மிக முக்கியமான அம்சங்களாகும்.

>>>>>>>>> சமரன்

காணாமல் போனோர்:That there were ONLY 210 Persons in custody! புதிய அரசு!!

Missing persons: Justice Minister denies allegations made against previous govt.

April 2, 2015, 9:58 pm by Shamindra Ferdinando



Dismissing much-touted allegations that thousands had been still held on terrorism charges, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, on Monday said that there were only 210 persons in custody.

The minister stressed that nine held on terrorism charges had been given bail.

The Justice Minister was addressing a gathering of religious leaders at his ministry.

In the run-up to the Jan.8 presidential election, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), overseas LTTE groups and some civil society organisations accused the previous government of holding thousands of political prisoners in secret detention camps.

According to the minister, 134 persons had been remanded had 60 were under investigation and 25 held under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Of the total number, nine have been released on bail.

Recently, Prime Minister Ranil  Wickremesinghe denied the existence of secret detention camps in the country while asserting those who had been categorised as missing were either dead due to the conflict or living overseas.

The previous government on more than one occasion briefed the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) regarding the release of over 11,000 ex-LTTE combatants following rehabilitation.

Saudi DAIRY FACTORY BOMBING KILLS 29 IN HODEIDA

DAIRY FACTORY BOMBING KILLS 29 IN HODEIDA
Published on 1 April 2015 in News
Bassam Al-Khameri (author)

SANA’A, March 31—Investigations are ongoing to identify the source of an explosion at a dairy factory in Hodeida governorate early Wednesday that killed 29 employees and injured 25.

A source in the Hodeida SECURITY Department, speaking to the Yemen Times on condition of anonymity, said investigations are at an early phase and remained inconclusive as of Wednesday afternoon.

“Warplanes from the Saudi-led bombing campaign have only targeted military INSTALLATIONS, but civilians are known to have been hit, as happened near Sana’a International Airport on the first day of airstrikes, so anything is possible,” the source said. “Everything will become clear as investigations proceed, there is a difference between shells from warplanes and tanks.”

The number of civilians killed in the blast rose from 25 in the morning as several employees suffered life-threatening injuries and could not be SAVED. Abdulrahman Jar Allah, director of the Ministry of Public Health and Population’s office in Hodeida, confirmed the number of casualties and said 18 of the survivors were seriously injured.

According to Basim Al-Jenani, a freelance journalist based in Hodeida, the explosion occurred at about 12 a.m. while hundreds of nightshift employees were inside the factory. He said investigations have been hampered by heavy bombing in the area by Saudi-led forces under Operation Decisive Storm.

“It is difficult to verify information because the factory is in the Kilo Seven Area, one kilometer from the Coastal Defense Camp and about 300 meters from the Hodeida Airbase, and it is also near the 67th and 33rd Air Brigade camps,” all of which have been under attack since Tuesday.

The factory is owned by Thabet Brothers Group and employs about 3,000 workers.

Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi Political Office in Sana’a, denied his group’s involvement and said forces fighting on their behalf were incapable of causing the level of damage seen at the factory.

“We use anti-aircraft weapons to prevent these airstrikes and everyone knows that Saudi-led warplanes TARGET these facilities. The administration of the factory has said they were targeted by an air raid, not shelled by a tank as people have claimed,” he said.

A source in Thabet Brothers Group’s marketing department, speaking Wednesday evening on condition of anonymity, said the company’s board of directors have refused to comment or release any information on the matter, but that a press statement will soon be made.

Source: Yermen Times

PFLP condemns US-supported aggression on Yemen

PFLP condemns US-supported aggression on Yemen

Mar 31 2015

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine condemns the US-backed aggression on Yemen, in a statement released March 29, expressing concern about the implications of these developments and their inherent risks at all levels.

The PFLP emphasizes:

1. its condemnation of the US-backed aggression on Yemen, rejecting any interference in its internal affairs 

2. the adoption of dialogue as a means to resolve internal issues and for a path of democratic and peaceful change determined by the Yemeni people.

3. that it is the duty of the Arab nation and the Arab League to instead assist Yemen to resolve the crisis in order to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people for democratic governance, protect the freedoms of all, and protect them from sectarian or tribal conflict.

Speaking in Ramallah at a mass rally commemorating Martyr’s Day, Comrade Khalida Jarrar said that the Front salutes the Arab people of Yemen, calling for their steadfastness and victory against this criminal US-backed war in the Gulf. “The people in the end will prevail, and Yemen will defeat the invaders,” she said.

Iran and world powers strike initial nuclear deal

Iran and world powers strike initial nuclear deal

Agreement will curb Iran's nuclear programme and end most sanctions imposed on country.

02 Apr 2015 22:00 GMT

The United States, Iran and five other world powers say they have reached an understanding that will lead to a comprehensive nuclear agreement within three months.

Reading out a joint statement on Thursday evening, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said a "decisive step" has been achieved.

The agreement, announced in the Swiss city of Lausanne on Thursday, will curb Iran's nuclear capacities by reducing its enrichment capacity and end most sanctions imposed on the country because of its programme.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif welcomed the agreement as he read out the same statement in the news conference. He described the deal as a "win-win" agreement.

US President Barack Obama said the US and its allies had "reached a historic understanding with Iran, which if implemented will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Obama said the deal was a "long time coming" and added it would not be based on trust but on independent verification of Iran's commitments.

'Solid foundation'

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the agreement in Lausanne was a "solid foundation for a good deal".

Al Jazeera's James Bays, reporting from Lausanne, said that US diplomats still faced the challenge of convincing opposition Republican dissenters in Congress, and its strongest ally, Israel, that the deal was sufficient.

"There are a lot of places where this deal will not be accepted and one of those is Israel," Bays said.
Obama said his SECURITY officials would be working with Israel and Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, to make sure their concerns are addressed.

He's keeping sanctions in regard to human rights violations and FUNDING of groups the US considers to be terrorists. The critics have said easing sanctions will give Iran more money to fund groups like Hezbollah.

The biggest complaint from critics is that this only limits Iran for 10-15 years. The president made sure to say in his speech that Iran is a signatory to the NPT so that means they will never get a nuclear bomb.

The president has the public on his side.  Polls show the majority of Americans want a diplomatic solution.  He is going to fight Congress by making the case to the American people if they vote down the deal they are voting for war.

Iran has also agreed to not build any new facilities for the purpose of enriching uranium for 15 years.
Zarif said the countries had agreed an elaborate mechanism if any of the parties to the agreement "returned to old practices" and reneged on their obligations.

"We will not allow excuses that will allow a return to the old system," Zarif said.

Mogherini said the seven nations would now start writing the text of a final accord.

She cited several agreed-upon restrictions on Iran's enrichment of material that can be used either for energy production or in nuclear warheads. She said Iran will not produce weapons-grade plutonium.

Phased approach

Iran's commitments on limiting domestic enrichment capacity will last ten years, with additional aspects of its programme, such as limitations on the amount of enriched uranium stockpiles it can hold, will last 15 years.

The lifting of sanctions placed on Iran will follow verification by the Un nuclear watchdog, IAEA, that it has met the obligations placed on it in the agreement.

The US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have negotiated with Tehran for years to prevent it from acquiring the means to develop a nuclear bomb.

Tehran had insisted on the lifting of international sanctions that have crippled its economy, while preserving what it views as its right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Iran nuke talks: Deal or ordeal?

OPINION
Iran nuke talks: Deal or ordeal?
A long and difficult path lies ahead regardless of whether there's an interim deal, half a deal, or no deal at all.
02 Apr 2015 13:40 GMT |

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marwan Bishara
Marwan Bishara is the senior political analyst at Al Jazeera.
@MarwanBishara



At best, the nuclear talks in Lausanne will culminate, if at all, in a "political understanding" or a "declaration of principles" of a sort.

Such an understanding will then lead to long and complex negotiations over each and every item that the two parties "understand" requires detailed agreement. This process could go well through June and beyond.

Presidents Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani have lots at stake in these negotiations and it's therefore paramount for them to reach an interim agreement, if only to buy themselves more time.

Iran nuclear talks extend deadline

The Iranian government needs the DEAL to lift the multi-layered sanctions in order to grow their economy and normalise relations with the international community. Such an outcome would eventually help the "reformist" government overcome the ultra-conservative sceptics of the regime.
Threat of military action

Indeed, the regime has much to benefit from such an opening that allows it to improve its standing domestically and in the region. Failure to reach a deal would lead to new tougher sanctions and ultimately to the threat of military action.

For its part, the Obama administration wants a DEAL that ensures Iran doesn't become a "nuclear state" or develop nuclear weapons.

By reaching such a deal without resorting to the use of force, Obama wants to make the larger and more important point that foreign policy is most effective and least costly when the US leads an international diplomatic effort that involves sticks and carrots, not bombs.

According to a recent Washington Post poll, Americans, 2 to 1, support the president on this, although many don't believe Iran will stick to it.

It's estimated that using force against Iran's nuclear programme would have paved the way to a full fledged war culminating in terrible death and destruction without setting back the enrichment process more than a year or two, all the while the US would pay heavily in both lives and dollars, perhaps up to $5 trillion.

Fierce opposition

And yet, expect the opposition forces in both countries to do what they do best, oppose a diplomatic solution.

Unlike the supporters of dialogue over the nuclear programme and other issues, the opponents of a deal enjoy decades of experience and master the discourse of doubt and demonisation of the other.

If there's a deal, they will oppose it in every possible way on the grounds of "GIVING AWAY too much for too little".

And if there's no deal, they will rub it in with the "we told you so" mantra until they get their next confrontation or war.

That's why, American and Iranian delegates might be listening to each other, but their eyes are directed to the home front.

Both leaders need a sweet enough deal that allows them TO WIN enough hearts and minds to withstand legislative and other pressures.

Lausanne, Iran's Oslo?

Iranian officials both in Switzerland and in Tehran have repeatedly underlined the importance of a comprehensive deal, while US officials emphasise the need for a conditional long-term process.
US insistence on multi-phased, performance-based process with Iran reminds me of US-sponsored talks with the Palestinians stemming from the Oslo process. These are meant to keep Iran under probation and allow the US the final word on how and when Iran can be free of all threats of sanctions.

The Obama administration emphasisses the need for "snap back sanctions" in case of Iranian violations of the signed DEAL, Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei has been unequivocal about full sanctions lift as a condition of a nuclear deal.

One gets the impressions that Washington treats Iranians in similar ways it once treated the Palestinians. After demonising them and accusing them of terrorism, it suddenly took them off the terrorist list to become legitimate negotiations partners.

Predictably, US mainstream media, citing the usual suspects with Middle Eastern sounding names, has been picking on Iran's negotiations mindset even though the Iranians proved to be formidable and pragmatic negotiators.
 
However, Iran is a regional power not an occupied nation, and the ayatollahs are in a far stronger position than the PLO.

That's why they won't accept an open-ended process with no specific endgame, that involves safeguarding Iran's sovereignty to enrich uranium while lifting the sanctions and normalisation of Iran's status in the world.

Predictably, US mainstream media, citing the usual suspects with Middle Eastern sounding names, has been picking on Iran's negotiations mindset even though the Iranians proved to be formidable and pragmatic negotiators.

Iranians are criticised for their obsession with "symbolism" merely because of insisting on their "sovereign rights", and for confusing ideology with technology because they reject western double standards.

If or when basic Iranian demands regarding sovereignty and normalcy are met, Ayatollah Khamenei will in all likelihood accept a nuclear deal. But will America's self-designated Ayatollah?

Netanyahu and US Congress

Recalling Netanyahu's rude manoeuvre to speak to Congress, and his obnoxious lecturing of the American people about the naivete of their president and the dangers of their foreign policy towards Iran, the Israeli prime minister is unrelenting.

He claims the deal, which has not been reached or signed yet, will pave the way to Iran's development and possession of nuclear weapons. And he's ready to use whatever dirty tricks, including CONTINUOUSLY invoking the Holocaust to derail the talks.

Alas, much of the Republican Right, including the main 2016 presidential candidates, as well as Israel's staunch friends among the Democrats support Netanyahu's stance.

These extremist forces are bound to do all in order to torpedo whatever understanding is reached, finalised or otherwise, between the US and Iran in Lausanne. And are adamant at escalating the tensions if no deal is reached.

The more delays in the talks, and the deeper the US delves into its 2016 elections, the weaker Obama becomes, and his ability to make grand decisions is undermined.

That's why the P5+1 mechanism is very helpful to the Obama administration. Once a deal is reached and is enshrined in a UN SECURITY Council resolution, it will be tougher for the US Congress or any future president to walk away from the deal.

All of which, makes it timely, rational and perhaps more likely for the two sides to reach a DEAL soonest, or before April 14 when Congress is back in session; a deal that meets the minimum demands of both parties, but leaves the important issues for further discussion in the coming months.
What effect that will have on Iran and the Middle East, is a subject for another day.

Marwan Bishara is the senior political analyst at Al Jazeera.The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.
Source: Al Jazeera