LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
April 05/09
Bible Reading of the day.
Luke12/16-19 He spoke a parable to them, saying,
“The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly. He reasoned
within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my
crops?’ He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and
build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. I
will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your
ease, eat, drink, be merry.” “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of
you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ So is he who
lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Hezbollah's
Program of illusion/Future
News 04/04/09
Lebanon’s new generation of
politicos. By: Alice Fordham/The National 04/04/09
Obama should be careful in his
'broad theater' diplomacy.
By David Ignatius 04/04/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for April
04/09
Lebanon's Baroud sees political will for smooth vote-Ynetnews
Israeli police kill armed Arab woman in Israel-Reuters
Johny
Abdo: I am not
candidate…Jumbaltt will be the decisive factorlFuture News
Nasrallah
plots to inherit AmallFuture News
Nasrallah:
“it’s up to me” to stop the “tsunami” of candidates/Future News
Kandil…thumbs
down/Future News
Hezbollah
rushes an agreement to settle the dispute between Aoun and Berry/Future News
Hezbollah
MPs switch is a political message/Future News
Suleiman to Present to Ankara Lebanon's Position on Negotiations with Israel-Naharnet
Bahia Hariri: 'We and Berri Are in One Trench'-Naharnet
Jumblat Denies he Took Part in March 14 Quartet Meeting-Naharnet
Saniora Rejects Berri's Comments, Says Budget Is Forthcoming-Naharnet
Edde to Confront Aoun in Kesrouan-Naharnet
Hariri, Miqati Putting Final Touches on Tripoli List-Naharnet
Murr Met with Maronite Bishop Rai, Will Announce Candidacy Monday-Naharnet
Liberians Fear Influence of Lebanese Amid Citizenship Debate-Naharnet
Vincent Hopes to Reveal Identities of Lebanese Judges Soon-Naharnet
Sami Gemayel Announces Candidacy, Calls for Dialogue, Not Grudges-Naharnet
Burning Material Thrown at MP Bassem Sabaa's House-Naharnet
Hajj Hassan: British Public Opinion Has Changed to Benefit Our Causes-Naharnet
Freed Boy Tells of His Kidnapping 'Adventure' in Tight-Fitting Chains with
Roasted Chicken for Lunch-Naharnet
Lebanese-Jordanian Agreement Securing Energy Passage From Egypt-Naharnet
Bouziane: UNIFIL Not Officially Informed of Any Reduction in Forces-Naharnet
Is Syria getting ready to come in from the cold?Independent
Lebanon launches pioneer scientific ship to assess sea environment-(AFP)
Lebanese gear up for weekend of
campaign events-Daily Star
Vincent hopes to reveal judges identities soon-Daily
Star
Bassil accuses Cabinet of neglect on wiretapping issue-Daily
Star
Conference explores roots and practice of Swiss neutrality-Daily
Star
After
UK visit, Hajj Hassan urges efforts to counter 'false image' of resistance-Daily
Star
Lebanon's real-estate sector
sidesteps global financial crisis-Daily Star
UNIFIL says will not cut size of peacekeeping force-Daily
Star
Two
Britons to run length of Lebanon for charity-Daily
Star
National News Agency launches new website-Daily
Star
Mediterranean pollution remains largely ignored-Daily
Star
Egypt
'was aware' of strikes on Sudan convoys-(AFP)
Iraqi
archaeologists find ancient Babylonian relics-Daily
Star
Abdo: I am not candidate…Jumbaltt
will be the decisive factor
Date: April 4th, 2009 Source: voice of Lebanon
The Ambassador Johnny Abdo said Saturday that he did not run for the June 2009
parliamentary elections.
Abdo told voice of Lebanon radio “The parliamentary elections are crucial for
Lebanon’s future. Lebanon faces two projects, one under the banner ‘Lebanon
first’, the second was imposed by force of arms and intimidation to make Lebanon
as the only front confronting the Arab-Israeli conflict.”
Abdo was referring to the 2006 Israeli offensive on Lebanon, where the
pro-Iranian Hezbollah party militants purposely fired rockets at Israeli border
towns. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and artillery fire on targets in
Lebanon causing tremendous damage and drove the country into a dark tunnel.
Abdo warned the March 14 alliance supporters “You must hit the polls, do not
refrain from practicing your right to vote,” pointing “The people who responded
to the call of independence and gathered annually in Liberty Square since 2005
–the martyrdom of Premier Rafic Hariri- have always held the banner of Lebanon
first, they did not have an idea that their presence was a reflection to the
popularity of any of March 14 leaders.”
“The results of the election battle are unknown,” he said, asking the centrist
bloc “to support the president of the Republic Michel Sleiman because a
consensus president must not be left alone.”
Abdo said, “The electoral battle is basically limited to the Christian seats
because all the other sects have reached a consensus.”
Abdo expressed his surprise at the verbal attacks launched by the Free Patriotic
Movement against the Christian leaders, warning, “The victory of the majority is
essential in order to maintain the state of Lebanon.”
He said, “Nabih Berry may be elected once more as House Speaker, although some
of his allies have some reservations” adding “Walid Jumblatt would be the
decisive factor in the majority’s victory.”
Program of illusion
Date: April 4th, 2009 Future News
The belated electoral program announced by Hezbollah is premature and requires a
lot of argumentation as it excluded any serious political revision that would
repair what was ruined by its political and military adventures.
The program launched Wednesday by Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah did
not take into consideration that the Lebanese can perform critical political
follow-up, so not to say that Nasrallah underestimated the intelligence of his
fellow citizens.
Nasrallah seems to have leaped over many facts in favor of a barely credible
allegation and targeted an audience that has political awareness, while ignoring
its public that only moves upon the rhythm of the tactical slogans.
Probably the producers of the electoral program were either delusional when they
were writing it, or they knew exactly what they are doing. In both cases the
program is a political chatter and has absolutely nothing to do with the facts.
The program talked about respecting the “privacy” of citizens, despite that the
‘May 7’ incidents still linger in the minds of the Lebanese.
It talked about development within their policy of shutting down the air port,
and blocking roads with burning tires and garbage containers.
Is it even proper for them to talk about democracy when a comic TV show almost
caused a civil war just because it imitated a leader who have led the country to
wars at all levels? How can the producers of this electoral program talk about
their partners in the country, when they have restricted weapons to themselves
and directed it against the state, the government, and the institutions, and
when they only use the language of blood and throttling, and when they prefer
militias over the parliament?
Their program is closer to illusion than to reality, everyone knows that it is
all alleged and that the only concern of its producers is to hamper the
establishment of the state that unifies all of the Lebanese.
Nasrallah plots to inherit Amal
Date: April 4th, 2009 Future News
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah said as he was
announcing his party’s candidates to the forthcoming legislative elections, that
the electoral program of Hezbollah is derived from the rhetoric of Imam Moussa
el-Sadr, the founder of Amal Movement.
Nasrallah said “Mohammad Raad, head of Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary
bloc, will announce Hezbollah’s 9 pages electoral program which is derived from
the rhetoric of pioneer Sayyed Moussa el- Sadr.”Although it is not the first
time Nasrallah points out the conformity between Hezbollah’s doctrines and those
of the concealed Imam, but the timing for reviving this rhetoric ahead of the
parliamentary elections slated June 7 aims at delivering an internal and
external message.
On the one hand, Nasrallah intends to assure the political factions that
disagree with it or these intimidated by its political and military project that
he adheres to the project of Imam Sadr who called on the Shiites to fit in the
Lebanese state. This reassurance had finally drawn the attention of western
countries, particularly France and England and international financial
institutions. On the other hand, the leadership of Hezbollah is reconsidering
the relation with the other key Shiite component, Amal movement on the long run.
The party maintains that after the death of Amal leader Nabih Berry “God
forbid”, it will have the exclusive right to be his heir. Thus, the party is
taking preemptive steps of focusing on the ideological and methodological
harmony with Moussa el-Sadr’s vision. The aspiration of Hezbollah to inherit
Amal Movement from Berry goes back to the battles of Iqlim el Toffah, East of
Saida in the late 80’s. Now the question is: will Hezbollah inherit Amal with or
without the resistance of Berry’s orphans?
Nasrallah: “it’s up to me” to stop the “tsunami” of
candidates
Date: April 3rd, 2009 /Future News
Why did Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, head of Hezbollah declare the names of the
party’s candidates himself while its deputy secretary general was the one
supposed to handle this task after the electoral preparations he was assigned to
perform were complete? The party’s secretary general did not have a choice in
facing the “tsunami” of candidates running for the legislative June 7
parliamentary elections within his geographic, social and sectarian constituency
but through performing this job himself under the formula “it’s up to me.” Sayed
Hassan Nasrallah put a lot of moral and personal efforts to get out of this
“confusion” with the least possible damage.
A source close to Hezbollah assured that a large number of candidates who want
to run with the party surprised the security department at Hezbollah.
In Baalbek, families that were present in previous elections and clans that were
absent from the parliament for 30 years had sent a delegation to the party
demanding it to be represented with 2 MPs.In Dahieh (southern suburb), the
family of Mahmoud Kmati made tremendous efforts to nominate him instead of MP
Ali Ammar. The region refused the nomination of candidates from outside Dahieh
to run for the region other than Kmati.
Kandil…thumbs down
Date: April 4th, 2009 Future News
The formation of the electoral list for the June parliamentary elections in
Beirut third circumscription, recognized as a supporter of Future Movement,
caused a debate among the pro-Iranian Hezbollah party. The debate pointed that
the opposition must win a certain number of votes in order to prove their
existence in this circumscription even if it was with a minimal number of votes.
The second debate assumed that Hezbollah had actually given up on its Sunni
supporters who were a helping hand in closing down town Beirut for two years.
According to lebreport.com, Hezbollah resorted to bribing some of these figures
to push them to present their candidacies in the third circumscription where it
is hopeless to win votes in their favor. Hezbollah wanted an easy way out so it
bribed them in order to make them stop criticizing its stances concerning the
division of seats in Beirut second circumscription. The major point in this
futile debate, is that Nasser Kandil –a former MP who was imposed as a candidate
on the electoral ticket of the martyr Rafic Hariri’s government during the
Syrian tutelage, and a supporter of March 8 opposition- is mad for not being a
candidate on any ticket for the coming parliamentary elections whether be it the
Hezbollah party or AMAL movement. Kandil who was a tool moved around by the
Syrian tutelage, used to launch flagrant lacerating criticism -upon request- at
anti-Syrian movements. Kandil is mad because Hezbollah has no need for him any
more to criticize or curse anyone, and therefore no one from the party is
answering his calls anymore or taking him into consideration. However, Kandil
had done his homework. Two months ago, he visited House Speaker Nabih Berry in
an attempt to be nominated for one of the Shiite seats in Tyr, but he went back
empty handed. Kandil had even asked to meet with the Secretary-General of
Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and waited eagerly for the phone to ring, but
his effort went in vain. As a result, Kandil was hopeless and implied to the
opposition that he would hold a press conference to declare that he is no more
in the opposition. Kandil waited for a reaction on Hezbollah’s part to persuade
him out of it, but he was shocked when he realized that no one cared. Kandil
‘gnashed his teeth’ in anger when he knew that Hezbollah nominated Rafic
Nasrallah for the Shiite seat in the third circumscription of Beirut, instead of
him. Close sources to Kandil said that he intends to run as an independent
candidate for Beirut third circumscription. He got in touch with individuals who
worked with him in the 2000 elections, and asked them to help him form an
electoral machine. They were eager to do so but no one showed up for the meeting
that was scheduled with Kandil.
Suleiman to Present to Ankara Lebanon's Position on
Negotiations with Israel
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman will meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul
during a two-day official visit to Ankara on April 21 to discuss Lebanon's
position on a return to negotiations with Israel. An-Nahar daily newspaper
reported on Saturday that Suleiman will meet with Gul as well as other Turkish
officials to discuss the countries' bilateral ties, the upcoming Lebanese
elections, the Arab peace process, and Lebanon's position on a return to
dialogue with Israel.
Suleiman is expected to announce Lebanon's official position with regard to
these negotiations during the trip, according to An-Nahar. The talks would
reportedly revolve around U.N. Security Council resolutions to end Israel's
occupation of Lebanese territories: The Shebaa Farms, Kfarshouba Hills, and the
northern part of the border village of Ghajar. A source helping to put together
the president's agenda for the visit told An-Nahar that the talks would also
touch upon the situation in southern Lebanon surrounding the sporadic
rocket-fire from the area into northern Israel. The two heads-of-state will also
discuss internal Lebanese politics, focusing on Lebanese stability and security,
national dialogue, and the June 7 elections. This will be the first visit to the
Anatolian country for a Lebanese president since Camille Chamoun. Beirut, 04 Apr
09, 09:24
Bahia Hariri: 'We and Berri Are in One Trench'
Naharnet/Education Minister Bahia Hariri said on Saturday that she and Speaker
Nabih Berri are "in one trench." When asked by a reporter about recent comments
made by Berri regarding the city of Sidon and its role in the resistance, the MP
responded by saying, "why do you want to create a dispute between me and Berri.
We and Berri are in one trench." Berri had previously commented that Sidon
should "keep its identity and role and assure that it is a fundamental supporter
of the resistance." He had been discussing Prime Minister Fouad Saniora's
possible parliamentary nomination for the southern city. Hariri was in Sidon to
meet with Governor of the South Malek Abdul Khaleq to discuss security issues in
the city. Beirut, 04 Apr 09, 14:05
Saniora Rejects Berri's Comments, Says Budget Is
Forthcoming
Naharnet/Prime Minister Fouad Saniora rejected Speaker Nabih Berri's recent
comments regarding Sidon's second Sunni parliamentary seat.
Speaking on Saturday Saniora said that he had not yet finalized that matter of
the parliamentary seat. Berri had previously warned against Saniora's choices
for the seat and called upon the people of Sidon to remain steadfast as
"supporters of the resistance." The prime minister also announced that
implementation of the budget is forthcoming. Beirut, 04 Apr 09, 15:04
Edde to Confront Aoun in Kesrouan
Naharnet/Kesrouan is heading towards a showdown as Free Patriotic Movement
leader Gen. Michel Aoun is running in the elections for the Maronite seat and
amid reports that National Bloc Party leader Carlos Edde is planning to announce
his candidacy in the district. An Nahar newspaper said Saturday that the
competition will be strong in Kesrouan in the June 7 elections as Edde is
getting ready to announce his candidacy. Edde and Aoun have in the past few
years been at loggerheads over "basic internal issues." The daily quoted sources
close to Edde as saying that the National Bloc Party leader is seeking to run
his campaign under the banner of "confronting Hizbullah's project," although "he
hasn't made a final decision yet."The sources said Edde will launch his party's
election campaign in Jbeil on Saturday.
It said MP Fares Boueiz will be on Aoun's list in Kesrouan and will be replaced
by MP Nihmatallah Abi Nasr. But the latter denied all reports that he was not a
candidate on the ticket in the upcoming elections. "These are media rumors," he
said during an interview with OTV on Friday.
Former MP Mansour Ghanem al-Bon, in his turn, will be on Edde's list which is in
the formation process, according to An Nahar. Beirut, 04 Apr 09, 09:16
Hariri, Miqati Putting Final Touches on Tripoli List
Naharnet/Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri and former Prime Minister Najib
Miqati discussed during another round of talks on Friday night the possibility
of dropping Samir Franjieh, who is backed by the March 14 forces, and Jean
Obeid, who is backed by Miqati, in favor of a consensus candidate for the
Maronite seat in Tripoli, As Safir daily reported. The newspaper quoted
Mustaqbal sources in the north as saying that the Hariri-Miqati agreement awaits
final touches and could be reached in the next few hours. The same sources told
As Safir that Hariri and Miqati will probably choose for the Maronite seat
consensus candidate Helou Helou, who is close to Economy and Trade Minister
Mohammed Safadi. The two leaders also agreed during their Friday-night talks on
a pro-Miqati candidate (most probably Ahmed Karami) for the Sunni seat in
Tripoli. Beirut, 04 Apr 09, 10:14
Murr Met with Maronite Bishop Rai, Will Announce Candidacy
Monday
Naharnet/MP Michel Murr will announce his candidacy on Monday for one of the two
Orthodox seats in the northern Metn district for the upcoming parliamentary
elections. In a press conference to be held next Monday, Murr will announce his
parliamentary candidacy and discuss his campaign platform.Lebanese press reports
have indicated that Murr met with Maronite Bishop of Jbeil, Bishara Rai, and the
head of the Catholic Information Center, Father Abdo Abu Kasem, on Thursday
evening and discussed the electoral situation in the Metn. Beirut, 04 Apr 09,
11:58
Liberians Fear Influence of Lebanese Amid Citizenship
Debate
Naharnet/Student Gabriel Wlemongar bangs his fist on the table. "Why don't you
people understand? he demands. "Don't you know that if you allow these Lebanese
or Indians to naturalize they will buy all the land?" Only blacks are allowed to
hold citizenship and own land in Liberia, a country founded by freed slaves, but
Barack Obama's election as the first black president of the United States has
prompted many to question that policy.
"Look at a black (man) sitting in the White House in America: isn't that enough
to say it is time to change?" responds Thomas Sieh, another student taking part
in the debate at a Monrovia entertainment centre. "...the Liberian constitution
is contrary to reality in these modern days," he adds.
That view is shared by a growing number in Liberia who say that the
constitution, which only accords property and citizenship rights to those who
are "Negroes or of Negro descent," is outdated and harming economic development.
In restaurants and bars, on radio and television talk shows, the issue is at the
centre of a heated debate.
War-torn Liberia has a large and economically successful Lebanese community,
which the foreign ministry says owns the majority of the businesses, as well as
an expatriate Indian community.
Official figures put the number of Lebanese at 35,000, and a further 15,000
Indians out of a total population of 3.9 million.
Many Liberians fear the influence they might wield if they were to be given new
rights.
Mohamed Sabra, 57, is Lebanese but was born in Liberia. He argues that the
policy is holding back the nation's economic development.
"When the foreigners or the expatriates come with the intention of building and
they notice that the constitution does not allow them (property and citizenship
rights), they go back with their money," he says.
"This is not good for the development of Liberia."
But high-profile Liberian businessman Musa Bility is against any change to the
law, saying the tensions it might spark risk plunging the country back into
conflict.
"I think that while it is true that it sounds discriminatory in this modern age,
we have to look at this special case of Liberia where we have just come from
war.
"The country's economy is in bad shape, and the nationals have never gotten
perfect opportunity to restart," he says.
Liberia was founded in 1847 by freed American slaves and ruled almost
exclusively by the so-called Americo-Liberian elite until a coup d'etat by
Samuel Doe in 1980.
After a decade of authoritarian rule, Charles Taylor launched a rebellion
against Doe triggering back-to-back civil wars that ravaged the country between
1989 and 2003 when a peace agreement was finally signed.
"To give the people who are economically viable the opportunity to become
citizens and all rights of citizens... is to set the pace for their domination
of our economy and our politics... leading to another problem in the next 15 or
20 years," adds Bility.
A change in the constitution, however, remains a sensitive issue and while some
parliamentarians have spoken out in support of an amendment, political parties
are reluctant to publicly state their position.
Observers say president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, herself a member of the Americo-Liberian
elite, is also wary of the issue because she does not want to alienate the
descendants of Liberia's indigenous people.
With proposals to amend the constitution requiring a two-thirds majority in
parliament, any change in the foreseeable future looks unlikely.(AFP) Beirut, 04
Apr 09, 13:00
Vincent Hopes to Reveal Identities of Lebanese Judges Soon
Naharnet/The international tribunal's registrar, Robin Vincent, said he hopes to
uncover the Lebanese judges' identities soon, adding that the Lebanese vice
president of the court would take office in The Hague "sooner rather than
later." "I need confirmation from the judges themselves that the security
precautions are in place and working," the registrar said. "I need to be
satisfied that ... [the Lebanese judges] are happy with the arrangements,"
Vincent told The Daily Star in an interview published Saturday. The Special
Tribunal for Lebanon announced on March 24 that Antonio Cassese, an Italian, had
taken his oath as president of the tribunal's judges, while Belgium's Daniel
Fransen had been sworn in as the court's pre-trial judge. The Lebanese judges -
among them the tribunal's vice president as required by the court's statutes -
were sworn in with the seven international jurists, but their identities remain
a secret. The court released Cassese's and Fransen's names because security
measures had been taken in their home countries, but the names of the Lebanese
judges will come out only when the judges say the security precautions in Beirut
are sufficient, Vincent said. Cassese will arrive full-time in The Hague on
April 14, earlier than previous proposals for him to move to the Netherlands at
the beginning of May, Vincent told the English-language newspaper. Lebanon's
justice ministry, meanwhile, will meet the deadline to transfer to the tribunal
all Lebanese material on the Feb. 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri,
as well as the names of those detained in connection with the killing, said a
ministry official on condition of anonymity. Lebanese authorities have to submit
the necessary information within 14 days after the March 31 receipt of the
tribunal's order, as written in the tribunal's rules of evidence and procedure.
Tribunal prosecutor Daniel Bellemare, for his part, intends to provide his
recommendations on the four detained generals as soon as possible, said Radhia
Achouri, spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. "My boss is going to be doing
things as expeditiously as possible," Achouri said. "The intention is not to
delay." As an example of Bellemare's desire to move the tribunal proceedings
along as fast as possible, Achouri said the prosecutor had sent Fransen the
request for Lebanese authorities to transfer evidence on the morning after the
regulations that made the request possible went into effect. Beirut, 04 Apr 09,
08:05
Burning Material Thrown at MP Bassem Sabaa's House
Naharnet/Unknown assailants threw burning materials near the house of MP Bassem
Sabaa in Beirut's Bourj al-Barajneh district last Thursday.
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported Saturday that burning materials were thrown at
Sabaa's house and posters of a mayor named Sabaa were set on fire in the area.
An Nahar learned that supporters of the Mustaqbal movement MP have been exposed
to similar incidents for some time, but most of these instances have happened
under the radar. Beirut, 04 Apr 09, 10:32
Hajj Hassan: British Public Opinion Has Changed to Benefit
Our Causes
'Naharnet/Loyalty to the Resistance' bloc MP Hussein Hajj Hassan said the change
in British public opinion regarding Middle East policies is "tangible."
"British public opinion has actually changed to benefit our causes," he said
following his return on Friday from a visit to London. "The [British] press is
clearly reflecting this [change]. Hassan called for removing the political image
promoted "by the Zionist and [some] Arab media in Lebanon and Palestine."The
Lebanese parliamentarian was invited to the United Kingdom by members of the
British Commons to lecture and to meet with a number of British officials.
Beirut, 03 Apr 09, 17:01
Itani announced withdrawing his candidacy
Date: April 3rd, 2009 Future News
MP Mohammad Itani declared his unwillingness to run for the upcoming
parliamentary elections, “making way for the leader of Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Saad
Hariri, to achieve victory on the path to sovereignty and independence.”Itani
declared after visiting MP Hariri in Qoraytem “when the leadership of Al-Mustaqbal
movement represented by MP Saad Hariri chose me to run the by-election in the
second district of Beirut after the assassination of martyr MP Walid Eido, I
realized the responsibility and critical political and security situation, and
didn’t hesitate for a moment to take responsibility and face its consequences.
And after I won the elections, I worked with Al-Mustaqbal movement to revive the
state project, and the completion of institution-building and follow-up the
Beiruti issue on several levels.”
He added: “in this critical stage that requires the maximum level of sacrifice
for the interest of Al-Mustaqbal and March 14 forces, and the option of the
State and institutions, I decided to withdraw my candidacy, paving the way in
front MP Saad Hariri to win the desired path to sovereignty and independence,
which was reflected after the martyrdom of the martyr of Lebanon PM Rafic
Hariri.”
Conference explores roots and practice of Swiss neutrality
What suits switzerland 'does not necessarily suit Lebanon'
By Nicholas Kimbrell /Daily Star staff
Saturday, April 04, 2009
BEIRUT: Lebanon is commonly referred to as the Switzerland of the Middle East -
in travel guides, history books and by the Lebanese themselves. Despite obvious
differences, the comparison is not unjustified. Both countries are small,
pluralistic and resource-poor societies, surrounded by powerful, historically
aggressive neighbors.
Over the last two years, the Lebanese Association of Political Sciences in
partnership with the Swiss Embassy in Lebanon has organized a lecture series for
interested Lebanese on the basics of Switzerland's political culture. One of the
most popular discussions took up the principle of armed neutrality,
Switzerland's time-honored and carefully honed policy to neither support nor
partake in foreign wars, aggressions or alliances while building a strong
national defense apparatus.
On Friday, the Issam Fares Center for Lebanon and the Swiss Embassy held a
follow-up conference to the popular series dealing exclusively with the
principle of neutrality.
The conference, entitled "Defense and Security: The Swiss Experience," was not
intended to provide a model or recipe for a Lebanese national defense strategy,
which is the subject of ongoing national dialogue talks chaired by President
Michel Sleiman.
Rather, the insightful three-part presentation offered a window into the
history, theory and practice behind Switzerland's policy of neutrality, an
opportunity for the Lebanese to examine a time-tried strategy as they develop a
national defense policy of their own.
During the conference the Swiss ambassador to Lebanon, Francois Barras, made
this point quite clear. "Lebanon has to work out its own model, but sharing
experience is always interesting," he told The Daily Star.
The conference was divided into three presentations: "Swiss military history,"
"Organization of the Swiss Army," and "Defense and Neutrality." Each session
began with a lecture by a visiting Swiss academic or military official and was
followed by a discussion and question-and-answer period, headed by Lebanese
scholars and retired military brass.
The Swiss principle of neutrality has been forged over centuries of continental
European military history. The first lecture led by Dr. Jurg Stussi-Lauterburg,
a retired colonel and cantonal deputy, covered hundreds of years of this history
to explain how the Swiss the developed their system.
The Swiss people, not unlike the Lebanese, were tasked with forming a nation
despite different ancestors, regions, religions and languages, Stussi-Lauterburg
said. But he was quick to note that "it is not necessary that what suits
Switzerland suits Lebanon and vice versa."
The lineage of neutrality was taken up by retired Colonel and professor Dr. Kurt
Spillmann, who divided the development of neutrality into three distinct phases.
The first, dating back to the 16th century, he called "neutrality of impotence,"
or "the inability of the Swiss to unite behind foreign-policy goals."
The second period Spillmann called "declaratory" neutrality, a period when
neutrality was stated as policy but left undefended. The third, forged after the
Napoleonic invasion, he called armed neutrality, which matched the practice of a
neutral foreign policy with a strong national defense.
Although, as Spillmann noted, the policy has been modified slightly in recent
years (Switzerland became a full member of the UN in 2002), the principle of
neutrality remains a pillar of the Swiss state.
Switzerland has refused to participate in militaristic alliances and adventures
(like both World Wars), but it has a well-trained and well-equipped army of
150,000 personnel and it still drafts all able-bodied men
In Lebanon, the Swiss national-defense strategy gained a certain political
prominence when rival politicians presented competing defense proposals to
Sleiman at the end of 2008. The Swiss model, of a neutral nation with a militia
based citizen-soldier army, was mentioned or alluded to by politicians in both
the ruling March 14 bloc and the March 8 opposition coalition.
However, Lebanese panelists at Friday's conference, like retired army General
Amin Hotteit and Dr. Antoine Messarra, were quick to note that the Swiss model
was not something that could just be adopted. The model rested on certain
geo-political and cultural experiences, ones that Lebanon and Switzerland do not
fully share.
The Swiss ambassador and the distinguished Swiss lecturers seemed to agree.
Barras and Stussi-Lauterburg both told The Daily Star that an effective national
defense strategy, in Switzerland's case neutrality, had to be based on a strong
political culture, one predicated on the political efficacy of the individual
and the collective responsibility of every citizen to defend the nation.
"It's about building trust, how you build trust," Barras told The Daily Star.
"It's about giving citizens a stake in their country."
After UK visit, Hajj Hassan urges efforts to counter 'false
image' of resistance
By The Daily Star /Saturday, April 04, 2009
BEIRUT: Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Hussein al-Hajj Hassan returned on
Thursday night to Beirut after a visit to the United Kingdom, where he met with
British officials and gave an address at the House of Commons.
Speaking to reporters at the Rafik Hariri Airport, Hajj Hassan said his visit
was not connected with the UK's recent decision to explore holding talks with
Hizbullah's political wing. The British government had been boycotting the
Lebanese party since 2005.
"The British public opinion has changed. This is clearly reflected within the
media. We work to change the international public opinion in favor of our causes
as part of our media and political work," he said. He called for making efforts
to change the "fabricated and false image" presented by Israeli and foreign
media of the "resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and the region." Hajj Hassan said
British MP George Galloway and another MP invited him two months ago to visit
the UK as a member of the International Union of Parliamentarians for the
Defense of the Palestinian Cause to participate in the opening of a new branch
of the union in London.
He added that he met with lawmakers from both the Labor and Conservative
parties. On Wednesday, Hajj Hassan told the British House of Commons that the
policies of the new Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, "paint a bleak
picture for stability in the region after he failed to endorse the idea of a
two-state solution."
"The next phase will be a bleak one because political vacuum is insupportable
and because filling this vacuum will push region further into a state of tension
and instability," Hajj Hassan said. "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
government will work to freeze the situation for four years as part a project to
settle Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan," he added. He then reiterated
Hizbullah's commitment to defend the rights of the Palestinians.
Netanyahu has failed to explicitly endorse the idea of an independent
Palestinian state while his foreign minister said Israel was not bound by the
2007 Annapolis peace conference and will only abide by the 2003 "road map."
Speaking about Israel's summer 2006 war on Lebanon, Hajj Hassan said the Jewish
state was plotting to displace "1 million southerners, who had fled their towns,
with the aim of settling the Palestinians in the abandoned homes.""However, [Hizbullah's]
victory and the swift return of the displaced to their homes in the south filed
the Israeli plot," the MP added.He said his meetings with MPs from the Labor and
Conservative parties "showed a great understanding to Hizbullah's position." He
said the British government signaled its willingness for a more "open policy
toward Hizbullah, which welcomes these meetings." - The Daily Star
National News Agency launches new website
By Marc Abizeid /Special to The Daily Star
Saturday, April 04, 2009
BEIRUT: The National News Agency (NNA) on Friday celebrated the launching of a
new website and the opening of a hall inside the Information Ministry building
to house its news staff one month after the Walid Bin Talal Humanitarian
Association signed an agreement to finance the renovations.
The ceremony was attended by Information Minister Tarek Mitri and packed with
the ministry's staff, guests from various embassies in Lebanon and NNA employees
who were exuberant over the upgrades. "We used to sit here in this room and it
was dreadful," said one NNA employee, who refused to give her name, describing
the small, stuffy office the news staff formerly occupied. "And so now we are
holding a ceremony to celebrate our new rooms, computers, resources and
everything that's been given to us by the foundation."
The NNA is the official government-run news source in Lebanon which employs
correspondents throughout the country. Two months ago the NNA launched two new
departments with French and English translators to make the website accessible
to more users.
The updated website signals the completion of the first part of the two-part
agreement signed between the Walid Bin Talal Humanitarian Association and the
Information Ministry. Part two of the agreement will be implemented over the
coming weeks as other NNA offices throughout Lebanon will be equipped with new
technology. "We are making these innovations and presenting an updated news
agency with English and French sections that can be a source of information for
all countries, not just for Lebanon," NNA's director Laure Sleiman said.
Prior to the "rehabilitation," the news agency went decades without any major
investment. Aside from receiving new electronics and replacements for the
"refrigerators," as one NNA translator described the agency's old computers,
staff will also be enjoying new furniture to bring a bit of comfort to a
high-stress job.
Egypt 'was aware' of strikes on Sudan convoys
By Agence France Presse (AFP) /Saturday, April 04, 2009
CAIRO: Egypt knew about air strikes on convoys in Sudan early this year that
were said to be carrying weapons destined for Gaza but remained silent to avoid
embarrassing Sudan, state news agency MENA reported on Thursday. Egypt knew
about the attacks, which were thought to have been carried out by Israel, "from
when they happened" but it "did not want to embarrass the brothers in Sudan,"
Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit was quoted as saying.
"The foreign act against Sudan is denounced and our response to it must be
strong," he said, adding that Egypt was informed that had been two separate
strikes and that Egypt was unaware of how Israel would have carried them out.
"There is much the Arab League and Sudan can do, and it was possible for Sudan
to present a complaint to the UN Security Council," he said. The remarks were
included in the transcript of a television interview with Abu al-Gheit. Sudan
had confirmed reports last week that two air strikes targeted convoys in
Northern Sudan, one in January and one in February. US media have quoted
American and Israeli officials as saying Israeli aircraft attacked a weapon
convoy destined for Gaza, which is ruled by the Palestinian Islamist movement
Hamas. The reports gave conflicting accounts on the number of strikes that were
conducted. Israel, which fought a devastating 22-day war on Gaza over the new
year, is determined to stop weapons smuggling into the enclave. It declared a
ceasefire only after receiving international assurances of cooperation to end
the smuggling.Hamas has denied that the alleged convoys were destined for the
movement. - AFP
Iraqi archaeologists find ancient Babylonian relics
Saturday, April 04, 2009
BAGHDAD: Iraqi archaeologists have discovered 4,000 artifacts, most of them from
ancient Babylonian times, including royal seals, talismans and clay tablets
marked in Sumerian cuneiform - the earliest known form of writing.
The treasures came to light, the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said, after
two years of excavations across 20 different sites in the regions between the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the land ancient Greeks referred to as
"Mesopotamia." In addition to Babylonian artifacts, the finds included artifacts
from the ancient Persian Empire and more recent medieval Islamic cities. "The
results of this excavation are evidence that Iraq's antiquities aren't going to
run out any time soon," Abdel-Zahra al-Telagani, spokesman for the Tourism and
Antiquities Ministry, said. "They also give us the incentive to continue to work
to rehabilitate our ancient sites to become tourist attractions." The artifacts
will be transferred to the National Museum in Baghdad, which remains in need of
restocking since looters stole approximately 15,000 artifacts after the 2003
US-led invasion. Some 6,000 have since been reported as returned.
Qais Hussein Rasheed, acting head of the antiquities and heritage committee,
said Iraq still had a big problem with looters ransacking archaeological sites.
"These sites are vulnerable to endless robbery by thieves, smugglers and
organized gangs because they are not protected," he said. "We have asked the
relevant ministries to allocate policemen but haven't received very many so
far."
Iraq is hoping a decrease in violence will encourage tourists to visit its
ancient sites.
Potential highlights include the Biblical city of Babylon, fabled home to the
Hanging Gardens, the Assyrian city of Nineveh in the north, relics of numerous
medieval Islamic citadels, and some of Shiite Islam's holiest mosques and
shrines.
Iraq saw its first group of Western tourists last month, and officials hope more
will follow.
Abbas Fadhil, the head of the excavation team, believes some of the finds may be
hugely significant. Of the two rare talismans dug up, one shows a face carved in
Sumerian style framed by a triangle. The other is a red stone with a running
antelope carved into it. - Reuters
Sami Gemayel announces his
candidacy in the Northern Metn district: We do not believe in a
Christian-Sunnite project or Christian-Shiite one, but we do believe in a
Christian-Christian project only.
3 Apr. 2009
The Coordinator of the Kataeb Central Committee, Sami Gemayel, held a press
conference at 4:30 at Le Royal, in Dbayeh on Friday. Gemayel started off his
speech by stating that this meeting has made him remember the past, which has
included 12 years of struggle, and reminded him of how they burned the Syrian
flag, and how they sprayed the candidate’s pictures in Lebanon.
Gemayel added “It made me remember how we climbed on poles, hills, buildings,
and the highest locations, to stick pictures for the former President, Amin
Gemayel, before he came back from exile. It made me remember confrontations with
the security forces in universities during the Syrian occupation with the youths
of the sovereign movement.”
He stated as well that these actions made him remember when they set up the
first tent in Martyr's Square, which led to many other tents being placed at the
Martyrs Square in Beirut. “It brought back flashes linked to the Lebanese entity
and Lebanon as a whole, and how we will live as Lebanese citizens in peace
finally, after years of occupation and foreign control.”
“ We were thinking; my companions and I, how we can resolve the deep Lebanese
problem and regarding this matter, I can’t forget the moment when I knew what
happened with my beloved brother, Pierre Gemayel, in Jdeideh at 3:30pm, and all
the harsh and sad period we passed through after this incident,” Gemayel added.
Gemayel stated that he can’t disregard and not remember his first entry to the
Party's Headquarters, which became his second home. He added that all these
experiences made his ideas, his beliefs, and his principles, which he is highly
committed to today, tomorrow and till the last day of his life.
Gemayel said, “We lived the true unity state among students with all its beauty,
its clarity, and the period in which everything was crystal clear, even our
enemy. Thus, I can see clearly the difference between the two stages, the stage
of struggle, and the life full of division and political ambiguity.”
The first thing Gemayel wants and demands for, is to bring back to mind the
cause and the reason that they are defending for, and he wants to make clear the
issue of the ambiguity of the last phase.
“We have a dream, a dream of a real, civilized, and developed country, where a
human being has rights. This is the only thing that we truly want and desire.”
He added, “Before having the state that we dream of, we shall have a normal
state. The normal state needs pure stability and security, and no normal state
accepts to have on its territories an Army other that its own national Army.”
Gemayel stated that in Lebanon, a Palestinian Army exists and brings along its
own policy on a fraction of these Lebanese territories. He applied that a
national army that has an authority spread over another part of the Lebanese
territories, and Lebanese groups who have no relation with the Army, is present
on a fraction of the Lebanese territories today.
He affirmed that arms in the hands of the Official Lebanese authorities are
“neither normal nor accepted.”
“The Syrian occupation was a reality bigger than the illegitimate arms. However,
it didn't stop us from claiming our own rights. A fact is for sure, that nothing
can stop us from rejecting this reality,” he added.
Gemayel stressed on the fact that he is with any party has supports and wants
the welfare of Lebanon. “We are with and we support every party to have its
beliefs and its own vision to Lebanon's future, but no party has the right to
impose its opinion on others in Lebanon by force, especially when threatening
and using its arms as a power force.”
Regarding the political stability issue, Gemayel’s response was “Any normal and
democratic state must have rotation of power by all means of elections, which
results in an outcome of a parliament that forms a government and a majority,
and royalties. There is neither a majority nor a minority in Lebanon that wants
to be fully represented in the government. Thus we do not know who will account
or observe.”
“The country is built on the concept of consensus which contradicts with the
concept of democracy because consensus and democracy can't be combined together.
This system does not work and its results were wars, disruption, and crisis. The
disruption began in 1958 then in 1975 and 1990,” he added.
Gemyael asked “When shall we realize that it is time to think of a new way to
manage the country and to solve the country's crises?”
He stated that they know the problem and they have the courage to state what it
is. He identified problem by stating that it is due to the political system in
Lebanon that put the Lebanese in confrontations with each other.
“The Lebanese system that the Kataeb Party calls upon is to be re-established
and well-developed. It is time for the parliament to start working hard on this
issue. Our part will be delivered completely; we will present solutions and
proposals by the Kataeb candidates who will win in the upcoming elections.”
Gemayel stated.
Gemayel regarded and emphasized that the economic stability is not normal and
drove the world to financial crisis. However, it did not affect Lebanon because
the country is below zero and asked whether it can decrease more than it is now.
He stated that “The economic stability is the result of a security state and
leads as well to political stability. The first condition for achieving a
positive and a healthy economy is security and political stability, before
focusing on projects and reforms.” He added saying, “Due to such a stage in
Lebanon, after the crisis we have passed through, corruption has led Lebanon to
billions of dollars debt by Paris 1, 2, 3. These billions are being pilfered.
However, what funds can Lebanon benefit from if there was no economic planning,
or the responsible figures were not being observed?”
Regarding the issue of the electoral campaigns by some and the actions that are
being taken, Gemayel stated that the funds which are being used as ballot boxes
for some parties, has created an influence on the Lebanese citizens to use this
opportunity to ask and beg from their leaders for their rights to live a normal
life.
Gemayel added “Who has the right to recompense those who fled? They are not
being able to achieve compensation, for they must beg for their rights. This
issue as well combines those who need electricity and water. All this chaos,
results from the fact that all that are in power, are taking the shares and
other funds for their own personal interest. These funds are being shared
between the responsible figures of this issue.”
Regarding social stability, he also affirmed that the Lebanese are classified
between first and second class, as well as martyrs who are classified as martyrs
of first or second class.
“Some martyrs' families are being rewarded for their loss but not others. Some
martyrs are officially declared as martyrs in a time when thousands of martyrs
who died while defending Lebanon and are part of our families and comrades, do
not have the same rights and respect of the other martyrs. These innocent
martyrs have sacrificed their lives because they defended Lebanon from the
Syrian and Palestinian occupiers.”
He brought up the matter of the past, during the wars in Lebanon that there are
some Lebanese that the Lebanese state has abandoned during the 80's or even
before, as a result, they fled to Israel, and some were forced to flee because
they were born in Israel. Gemayel asked, “Can we say that they are agents if
they were forced to go and live there, and condemn them as agents?”
Gemayel stressed that there is no social stability if some Lebanese groups have
rights that others do not have, or when a group has arms in its hands, and uses
this as a power to go down to the streets to impose its opinion and beliefs on
others.
He related this issue in regards to the fact that there are some regions where
the Lebanese army cannot access and have been threatened that if they do, they
will be murdered. “Regarding this issue, some camps where fights arouse, prove
that they have and hold their own illegal arms in order to fight those that
approach their territories. What point did we reach in the case of the Officer,
Hanna that was murdered in Sujud?” Gemayel asked.
Gemayel stressed on the fact of equality, “How will we feel equality and build
true patriotism without feeling comfortable with each other, and contentment?
This is our country, even if they don't acknowledge our sacrifices and our
presence in history books, we have the right to tell our children about them and
how we defended the country, and that september 14 should be a day in Lebanon’s
history, to be remembered and respected, just as February 14 is.”
Gemayel hoped and wished for a better Lebanon, and emphasized on the fact of all
Lebanese powers becoming united and working for the same purpose, for the
welfare of Lebanon. In this way, and such an approach, Gemayel believed that
this is how a normal state works. “We haven't spoken yet about our dreams, this
is the minimum for a decent life in our country. This is a part of our project
and there is another part of similar importance which is Christians' unity, and
the full return to all institutions. As much as we believe in the Lebanese state
and what this country symbolizes, Lebanon cannot exist without the presence of
Christians,” he added.
Gemayel stated that 4 years ago, Christian’s unity was possible. Therefore he
demanded to go back to the historical principles and constants of Christians. He
added “We do not believe in a Christian-Sunnite project or Christian-Shiite one,
but we do believe in a Christian-Christian project only, and Christians unity is
the solution for what is currently happening or what often happens, and as long
as they are serving foreign agendas they won't be able to play a unified role in
the country.“
He stated that they should go back to their principles and hold each others
hands to fight against corruption, with all their allies. He stated that
corruption cannot be eliminated from outside the country. Regarding the issue of
naturalization, he advised the same process to be taken, stating that “If we
want to fight against naturalization, we should go back and refer to the
institutions, the parliament and the government, because chaos leads to
naturalization and paves the way to security depths.”
Gemayel stressed the fact that Christians' unity is necessary and is their duty
because when they were fighting against each other, none of them won any battle.
He stated that they won't give up on their principles as well as the dialogue
between them.
Regarding the upcoming elections, Gemayel hoped and demanded that the elections
should be democratic. “We don't want hatred. What we truly want is dialogue and
sharing our ideas and beliefs,” adding that the citizens are the ones to decide
for themselves.
As for the role of a deputy, Gemayel stated that a deputy’s job is to think,
analyze, present projects, refuse draft laws that do not serve Lebanon's
interest or its region and has a team that helps him in all national issues. A
deputy should choose between either offering his services or presenting projects
that serve to Lebanon's interest, that’s if he is unable to do both things
together at the same time. Gemayel added that “A deputy is not elected to drink
coffee and read the obituaries page to convey his condolences.”
Gemayel stated that their role as Kataeb party is to free the deputy from
client-ship; such as offering services and asphalting.
Thus, after mentioning all this issues and solutions, we start thinking about
regional and municipality units to fulfill these duties. These units must also
have a budget and should be subjected to the concept of accountability.
Gemayel started concluding his speech by stating his candidacy in the upcoming
elections. “You are now aware of my ideas and plans, and what I will do in the
future because I have my convictions and I will not give up the sacrifices of
the martyrs, on top of the list my brother Pierre Gemayel.”
Gemayel honored the Nothern Metn citizens and thanked them for their trust and
assurance in him. Gemayel said “I believe that an efficient reform must be made
in the institutions and the Lebanese state. It is a great honor for me to ask
for the trust of the Northern Metn citizens as a candidate of the Maronite seat
of northern Metn region.”
In conclusion, Gemayel promised that he will stay loyal to the Lebanese history,
the sacrifices, and loyal as Kataeb members in all the Lebanese regions to the
efficient reform project led by president Amin Gemayel, the political bureau and
Kataeb official figures.
Gemayel’s final word was for the whole Lebanese people to hear, he said “The
thousand miles journey has just begun, and we affirm and assure you and tell our
martyrs, that our lives and our future are in the service of Lebanon and the
Lebanese Christians.”
Lebanon’s new generation of politicos
Alice Fordham
April 04. 2009
Among top students in Lebanon, such as Danya Taha, 15, Saad Hani, 16, and Nayla
Mroueh, 16, even wardrobe colours are carefully chosen to avoid unintended
political statements. Bryan Denton for The National
BEIRUT // Gesticulating, interrupting each other and always talking politics,
the group sitting at the table is typically Lebanese.
“It’s not that I don’t respect your point of view,” said Saad Hani, “it’s that
you don’t think it through.”
“But … I know my point of view is right!” said Nayla Mroueh.
Saad explains that, “We argue because I am Sunni and she is not.”
Each of the members in the group identifies with a different part of Lebanon’s
vast political spectrum and is prepared to, as they put it, “talk deep into the
subject”.
But these are not intelligentsia sitting in a smoky cafe.
Aged between 14 and 16, this gang of glossy-haired pupils has just bounced out
of afternoon class at Beirut’s elite International College and strolled past the
palm trees of their playground into Hardee’s burger bar.
Wearing Abercrombie & Fitch and Vans shoes, the girls perch on the boys’ knees
and they chatter in the French-English-Arabic mix of cosmopolitan Beirutis. And
though they may be chic, this is not a superficial teenage culture.
In a highly politicised country where power is still inherited and reinforced by
connections, they are part of a new generation who are growing up fast,
politically savvy and in control of their networking long before they can vote.
New light was shed this week on the changing world of Lebanese teenagers, as
research into the unlikely subject of Beirut’s birthday parties was presented by
Dr Kirsten Scheid, an anthropologist of the American University of Beirut.
Fascinated by the elaborate celebrations her daughter attended, Dr Scheid began
researching the parties of children of the elite aged 11 to 14. This young
generation, she found, were trying to impress each other and build networks in a
very adult way.
Far from the traditional Lebanese birthday party at home with family, tabbouleh
and Arabic music, such parties have, in the last few years, become elegant
affairs in expensive hotels and nightclubs.
The birthday boy or girl takes control of the – usually American rap – music
played, the crucial guest list and the clothes worn.
“People definitely try to impress their friends,” said Hana Chamoun, 15, a
gregarious girl, as she toyed with her long curls.
Nayla, 16, who wriggles onto Hana’s chair, remembers that, “a couple of years
ago people would rent hotels; now the parties are in clubs and go on until 12”.
And for urbane Lebanese teenagers, even the outfits are political.
“They won’t wear orange, yellow, blue or green,” all politically charged colours
in Lebanon, said Dr Scheid, “because they don’t want to offend each other.”
The group Dr Scheid studied was drawn from Beirut’s three top schools – the
International College, the American Community School and the College Protestante
– where the next generation of Lebanon’s business and political players are
growing up.
“Over here,” said Naseem Abu Ayyache, 14, ignoring the giggling girls and
leaning seriously across the cafe table, “the young people know about politics.
We are so educated and everyone has his own side, which he defends very strongly
… it’s because Lebanon went through a civil war and our parents were affected a
lot, and because we all come from different political backgrounds.”
“Teenagers know everything,” said Hana, “and they talk about it like they are
grown-ups.”
At school, she said, a new American teacher was “very surprised” by their
knowledge.
“He said that the kids in the US do not talk about politics in the same way. I
think politics is the major difference between us and other cultures our age.”
Hana does admit that perhaps they are a bit young for such intense political
discussions, but said many children know that one day they will be expected to
follow their parents into politics.
Such expectations have played a big role in forming Lebanon’s teenagers.
Dr Scheid’s research suggests that teenage social identity has vastly changed
since the civil war ended in 1990, after 15 years.
The music and clothes have morphed as the western diaspora returned, bringing,
some say, materialism and status obsession along with rap and Vans trainers.
But the one-upmanship and political chat of today’s teenage life is also part of
a far more traditional aspect of Lebanon – that of political power being passed
from one generation of a family to the next.
By the time they reach their teenage years, some know they will follow their
parents and become politicians. Others will have made all the contacts they need
to become MPs in their palm-fringed playgrounds.
As the June 7 election approaches, the hereditary nature of Lebanese politics is
clearer than ever.
The handful of young hopefuls who have announced their candidacy are themselves
children of politicians.
Sami Gemayel, 29, a member of the Christian Kataeb party, is a candidate in the
Metn district north of Beirut, and is the son of the former Lebanese president
and party leader Amin Gemayel. His cousin, Nadim Gemayel, 28, who is standing in
one of Beirut’s districts, is the son of Bashir Gemayel, also a former
president. The grandfather of both candidates was the party founder, Pierre
Gemayel.
Also standing in Beirut is Nayla Tueni, 26, the daughter of the assassinated
former MP and newspaper editor Gebran Tueni. Among the older candidates is
Michel Moawad, 37, the son of the assassinated president Rene Moawad.
Although the country is seen as one of the most democratic in the region, family
is still very important in preparing the next generation and providing them with
a head start into politics, said Bashar Haidar, a professor of political
philosophy.
“Of course, when I was at high school, everyone was political,” said Nadim
Gemayel.
“All the Lebanese youth are very politicised, so it is not a matter of whose son
I am. We are all sons of this cause and this country. I am not here just because
I am the son of Bashir but all the youth have the same belief in democracy, and
this is our fight.”
The country’s troubled past, Prof Haidar said, has meant that institutions like
political parties have not become strong enough for a deputy leader to take over
when an old leader dies or retires, so the legitimacy of the person can only be
transferred through lineage.
In part, he said, this is due to the importance of family in Lebanese culture,
but he sees it also “like the assumption that you have to take the profession of
your father – which was the case in Europe a century ago”.
In other words, the pool from which the next Lebanese politicians will come
consists of a small number of families, and to get ahead a wannabe politico has
to be in one, or meet them early on – often at school.
If the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton, as the British
like to say, Lebanon’s future is being determined by the outlook and attitudes
of a few hundred Beiruti teenagers in American sportswear.
Is that future in good hands?
Some of the gang in Hardee’s point out that in Lebanon, assassinations still
happen, and not everyone would want to be a politician.
But Saad is insistent. “I’ll do it,” he said. “I am thinking about going into
politics, but I am not going to be one-sided.”
He railed against the way that “95 per cent of people” follow the political
leanings of their families, saying, “I will try to be in the middle”.
“But Muslims cannot be president,” he added, referring to the rule that only a
Maronite can take that office, “so it depends how far I can get.”
Maybe one day, he said, it will be different.
* The National