LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
April 06/09
Bible Reading of the day.
John12/35-43 Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light
is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you.
He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. While you have the
light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said
these things, and he departed and hid himself from them. But though he had done
so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him, that the word
of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, “Lord, who has
believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”* For this
cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again, “He has blinded their eyes
and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive
with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah said
these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him. Nevertheless even of the
rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess
it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, for they loved
men’s praise more than God’s praise.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Britain says US doesn't object to efforts to engage Hezbollah-By Ziad Haidar and Borzou Daragahi/Los
Angeles Times 05/04/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for April
05/09
French Official: Lebanon
Must Not Become a Zone for Score-Settling-Naharnet
Elias
Zoghby: if March 8 wins
elections it will connect Lebanon to Vilayat El Faqih/Free
Lebanon radio
MP
Feraoun: Achrafieh electoral list
to be completed within days/Future News
MP
Zahra: LF not taking seats away
from any party/Future News
Geagea launches the 2nd Cedar’s
Revolution/Future News
Donald Macintyre: Obama can steer Israel to peace-Independent
Saida Awaits Saniora's
Decision to Run for Elections-Naharnet
North's Electoral List
Undergoes Changes: Obeid, Ahdab Absent-Naharnet
Labor Minister Fneish
Rejects Abandoning Resistance-Naharnet
Interior Minister Baroud
Calls for Security during Elections-Naharnet
Edde Launches His Campaign
in Jbeil: Kerserwan Candidacy Not Final-Naharnet
Berri Asks Where State
Funds Go When it Comes to Citizens Livelihood-Naharnet
Zoghbi: if March 8 wins
elections it will connect Lebanon to Vilayat El Faqih
Date: April 5th, 2009 Source: Free Lebanon radio
Elias El Zoghbi, member of ‘March 14’ coalition, warned Sunday that if the
opposition wins the June 7 parliamentary elections, Lebanon will be governed
religiously be Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite party affiliated with Vilayat el
Faqih. Vilayat el Faqih is a theory in Shiite Islam which holds that Islam gives
a faqih (Islamic jurist) custodianship or guardianship over those in need of it.
El Zoghbi considered that the policy of ‘March 8’ alliance “opposes to the
policy of President Michel Suleiman, especially in the issue of the defense
strategy and relations with Syria”. He pointed out that ‘March 8’alliance is
trying to hold back President Suleiman from supporting candidates in
Keserwan-Jbeil, and Metn districts. El Zoghbi added that Hezbollah’s bet that MP
Michel Aoun, leader of the Change and Reform bloc, will acquire 70% of the
Christian votes in elections is “delusional”.
Zahra: LF not taking seats away from
any party
Date: April 5th, 2009 Source: Future News
MP Antoine Zahra, member of the Lebanese Forces party, said Sunday that what was
announced in the Lebanese Forces’ conference Saturday was produced upon the
party’s alliance with ‘March 14’ coalition. About the nomination of Richard
Quomojyan for the Armenian seat in Beirut I district, Zahra said “the LF cannot
be accused of taking seats away from any other party”. Zahra asserted the LF
“will seek that all parties be represented, and will wait for Al-Mustaqbal
movement to announce its Armenian candidates.”
Feraoun: Achrafieh electoral
list to be completed within days
Date: April 5th, 2009 Source: Voice of Lebanon
MP Michel Feraoun asserted Sunday that the electoral list for Achrifieh will be
completed within two to five days. Two Armenian candidates on the list will be
independents or partisans after Tashnag has withdrawn. “Their candidacy is being
debated with March 14 leaders,” Feraoun assured. The pro-governmental MP said
that there was communication with the Armenian Tashnag “but it decided to ally
with March 8 overnight. Some say the party’s decision was made since they met
with Syrian President Bashar Assad two months ago and that its dialogue with us
was just a maneuver.”“Achrafieh citizens will respond to General Michel Aoun on
elections day,” said he, commenting on the repetitive slanders of head of the
Free Patriotic Movement to the region. Feraoun indicated that the new
Remil-Saifi caza gave true independence to its citizens who felt it wasn’t truly
represented following the 1996 and 2000 elections.
Geagea
launches the 2nd Cedar’s Revolution
Date: April 4th, 2009 /Future News
Dr. Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces party, launched Saturday the
party’s electoral program titled “The 2nd Cedar’s Revolution”, calling the
Lebanese to vote for the March 14 alliance in the June 7 parliamentary
elections.
During a ceremony in Biel, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the disbandment
of the LF, Geagea, a leader of the March 14 coalition that established the first
Cedar’s Revolution against the Syrian domination of Lebanon after the
assassination of martyr PM Rafic Hariri in Beirut on February 14, 2005, refused
the presence of mini-states in the country, pointing to Hezbollah’s armed sector
that controls several Lebanese regions.
The LF was disbanded in 1994 following a decision by the Lebanese Judicial
system, while the country was under the Syrian dictatorship. As a result Geagea
was imprisoned for 11 years to be released in 2005 after the withdrawal of the
Syrian troops following a legislative decision.
The LF leader revealed the names of the party’s candidates for the elections:
Richard Kuyoumjian (Armenian, Beirut’s first district), Michel Salloum
(Catholic, Baalbek-Hermel), Robert Khouri (Catholic, Zahrani), George Adwan (Maronite,
Chouf), Eddy Abi Lameh (Maronite, Metn), Antoine Zahra (Maronite, Batrun), and
Farid Habib (Orthodox, Koura), in addition to Elie Kayrouz and Strida Geagea (Maroonites,
Bshari).
Geagea who is a Christian leader, and whose primary political opponent is the
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, criticized the “moody acts of
some of the leaders,” accusing them of taking the Christian community against
its “historical political principles”.
He also stressed on the commitment to the international tribunal for Lebanon
that will look into the assassination of martyr PM Rafic Hariri and other
political crimes committed in Lebanon.
The articles of the LF’s electoral program announced by Geagea are:
1. Stressing on Lebanon’s independence trough the demarcation of its
borderlines, starting with the Shebaa farms.
2. Stressing on the principle of the complete sovereignty of the Lebanese state,
refusing the mini-states.
3. Sticking to the international resolutions including the 1559, 1680, 1701 to
prevent any foreign interference in the Lebanese affairs.
4. Holding to the international tribunal for Lebanon working on facilitating its
work.
5. Avoiding the regional and international political axes without forgetting the
openness on the world.
6. To find a solution to the arms of the Palestinians in and out of the refugee
camps following the decisions of the national dialogue table.
7. To take all measures to prevent the installment of the Palestinians in
Lebanon, and to provide efforts to make their life conditions better.
8. To emphasize on the diplomatic relations with Syria, reconsidering the treaty
of fraternity and cooperation, and to eliminate the Lebanese-Syrian Higher
Council.
9. Negotiate with Syria the issue of the Lebanese detained in Syrian prisons.
10. To work on establishing a healthy legislative life.
11. To follow the Taef agreement to get back the equilibrium to the state
institutions.
12. To reconsider the nationalization decree following the decision of the
Constitutional Council.
13. To apply the administrative decentralization, insuring stability and
reducing the disputes over the central authority.
14. To enhance the participation of women in official institutions and her
participation in the political life.
15. To reduce emigration by boosting the Lebanese life conditions.
Assad Meets Visiting U.S. Congressmen
Naharnet/Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met a U.S. congressional delegation on
Sunday, the official SANA news agency reported, amid warming relations between
Washington and Damascus. The delegation, headed by Democrat Stephen Lynch and
also including Republican Bob Inglis, arrived in the Syrian capital on Saturday,
the American Embassy said. Damascus-Washington ties have improved under U.S.
President Barack Obama. Relations sank to their lowest ebb under the
administration of former president George W. Bush. His government accused Syria
of being a gateway for "foreign terrorists" into Iraq to fight alongside
al-Qaida, and it also imposed sanctions on Damascus in 2004. Recent weeks have
seen several high-profile U.S. envoys visit Damascus as the Obama administration
pursues a policy of engaging with all countries in the region, even long-time
foes. Last month Assad said he was ready to act as a mediator with Iran over its
controversial nuclear drive, provided Western countries come up with a clear
plan to submit to Tehran. The West suspects the Islamic republic of seeking to
obtain nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies, saying its atomic ambitions are
purely peaceful. The Syrian president also praised Obama as a man of his word
for having honored promises over a pullout from Iraq and shutting down the
detention centre at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.(AFP) Beirut, 05 Apr 09, 11:55
Saida Awaits Saniora's Decision to Run for Elections
Naharnet/Competition for parliamentary representation in the city of Saida
remains undetermined in anticipation of a possible showdown between Premier
Fouad Saniora, who has yet to announce his candidacy, and MP Bahia Hariri. In
case Saniora decides not to run in the June 7 elections, Hariri and MP Ousama
Saad will win uncontested. On Saturday, Saniora said he is still undecided on
whether to run for the elections, with only two days left before the door for
registration closes. Saniora, however, pointed out to "a high demand" for his
nomination.
For his part, Speaker Nabih Berri admitted that the electoral battle in Saida
was indeed "competitive but the capital of the south will only have equal
representation." "Since 1992, former Premier Rafik Hariri had always tried
convince me that Saida should be represented by a single (party)," Berri said.
"I always opposed such an approach due to my belief that the gateway to the
south should not be restricted to one party. Today, the same is being done with
talk of Saniora's nomination. My opinion remains unchanged," he added.
In an interview with Orange television station, Berri said competition "will be
fiercer in Zahleh, Beirut 1 and the western Bekaa."
On ties with MP Saad Hariri, Berri said: "There is nothing to talk about. He
sent me an invitation through MP Mohammed Qabbani to attend the launching of the
Biel charter. I agreed and immediately appointed Qabbani as my representative,
something Hariri might have considered as contemptible."Berri also dismissed
reports of disagreement with MP Michel Aoun adding there are situations where
the speaker "goes along with deals after the general had agreed to them."On
Saniora's nomination, MP Bahia Hariri reacted to question marks about Berri's
opposition to the premier's candidacy saying: "We are in the same bunker with
Speaker Berri." An-Nahar daily on Sunday reported that Hariri had "completely
rejected a promise by a prominent authority tol remain a minister in any new
government if Saniora does not run in Saida." Hariri said she refuses to
"compromise on the people's will and their legitimate right to express their
position." Beirut, 05 Apr 09, 10:11
North's Electoral List
Undergoes Changes: Obeid, Ahdab Absent
Naharnet/Last-minute deliberations between MP Saad Hariri and former Premier
Najib Miqati have resulted in a new combination for the north's electoral ticket
with MP Mustapha Allouch sidestepping in favor of Miqati, press reports said
Sunday. During a Friday night meeting, Hariri and Miqati also agreed to propose
MP Ahmed Karami as a candidate in the place of current nominee MP Musbah al-Ahdab,
the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily quoted informed sources as saying. In another
last-minute alteration, an-Nahar and al-Hayat confirmed reports of an agreement
to "nominate Phalange member Samer George Saadeh for the Maronite seat in
Tripoli instead of recommending former MP Jean Obeid." The move offers "a
settlement with the Lebanese Forces in the Betroun in favor of MP Antoine
Zahra," who announced his candidacy on Saturday. Reacting to the changes, MP
Walid Jumblat expressed his sorrow for Obeid's absence from the electoral race.
"Unfortunate are the days when Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblat are unable to
nominate a patriot for parliament. I apologize to him (Obeid)," he said.
An-Nahar also reported a "setback in negotiations" between Hariri, Miqati and
Minister Mohammed al-Safadi on the distribution of seats in Tripoli. Miqati and
Safadi are insisting on last Thursday's deal under which the eight seats would
be equally distributed among them and the Future, which is sticking to a share
of six seats. Efforts to reconcile the three sides have failed with both Miqati
and Safadi "completely rejecting Future's proposal." Beirut, 05 Apr 09, 13:27
Labor Minister Fneish Rejects
Abandoning Resistance
Naharnet/Labor Minister Mohammed Fneish has rejected views that there is any
benefit to abandoning the resistance and called for the U.S. to stop interfering
in Lebanese politics. "What is the benefit for Lebanon if the Lebanese abandon
[their] defense or [their] fight against… the Zionist project?" Fneish asked in
an electoral meeting on Saturday. He added that "there are various
transformations… happening today" with regard to international politics in the
region and called for the U.S. to disengage from internal Lebanese politics.
With regard to June 7, Fneish called the elections a step toward "recreating
authority by relying on the will of the people and… reconsidering political life
through a new parliament and a new government."The labor minister reinforced the
minority's electoral stance by saying the group "is approaching the [elections]
with a commitment to the Taef accord, reform" and to forming an administration
set apart from the traditional system of patronage in Lebanon. Beirut, 05 Apr
09, 13:24
Britain says U.S. doesn't object to efforts to
engage Hezbollah
The Bush administration had criticized the idea of approaching the Lebanon-based
Shiite Muslim group, but a British official likens it to outreach to the IRA
that led to peace talks.
Los Angeles Times/April
05/09
By Ziad Haidar and Borzou Daragahi
Reporting from Damascus, Syria, and Beirut -- The Obama administration is
"comfortable" with the British government's attempts to engage Hezbollah, the
Iranian-backed group that the U.S. labels a terrorist organization, a senior
British diplomat asserts.
Bill Rammell, Britain's minister of state for foreign and Commonwealth affairs,
said in a brief interview late last week that despite protests to the contrary,
the new U.S. administration does not object to the fledgling contacts with the
political wing of the Lebanon-based Shiite Muslim group, which also has a
heavily armed militia.
Senior U.S. envoys hold talks in Syria
Babylon & Beyond blog: More on Hezbollah
Britain likens the attempt to engage Hezbollah, launched quietly this year, to
outreach to political leaders of the Irish Republican Army -- a move that helped
quell the Northern Ireland conflict.
"We have a different approach on this issue at the moment with the United
States," he said. "But it's not an issue of disagreement in intentions. The
feedback we had on Lebanon is that the Americans are comfortable with us doing
things differently than they are."
Senior U.S. officials have privately mocked and publicly rejected the British
decision. "Our position on Hezbollah remains unchanged," Jeffrey Feltman, the
U.S. deputy assistant secretary of State for Near East affairs, told lawmakers
last month. "We see no distinction between the leadership and funding of the
group's terrorist, military, political and social wings.
Hezbollah, formed in the early 1980s, is a vast social, political and military
organization that has emerged as one of the world's most powerful non-state
entities. It runs huge swaths of Lebanon, including its south Beirut stronghold,
and maintains its own networks of schools, charities and social services as well
as a military telecommunications system.
Hezbollah also maintains a formidable arsenal of rockets and a militia that
fought its archenemy, Israel, to a standstill in a 2006 war that continues to
reverberate throughout the Middle East.
Another British diplomat said Bush administration officials harshly criticized
the idea of approaching Hezbollah last year. They worried "it would be seen as a
policy coordinated with the U.S. government," the diplomat said, speaking on
condition of anonymity.
Although the Obama administration rejects the British approach, Rammell said
initial U.S. alarm has given way to curiosity and that there is "no antagonism"
between the two allies over the issue. Rammell's areas of responsibility include
the Middle East, Afghanistan and North America.
France, with its deep historical and cultural ties to Lebanon, has long
maintained relations with Hezbollah. Rammell said the British attempt to engage
Hezbollah would proceed incrementally, in an attempt at "testing the waters."
In a meeting last week with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, Rammell also
said London was ready to engage with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which
has its political headquarters in Damascus, Syria, if it renounced violence.
"I would like to talk to Hamas, but we need change before engaging in that
position," he said at the meeting.
He added that Hezbollah must also reject violence before any dialogue could
broaden.
Rammell, who ended a two-day visit to Syria on Thursday, said the West must
acknowledge what he described as "positive changes" that have taken place in
Lebanon over the last few months, including the formation of a unity government
and the appointment of a consensus president supported by U.S.-backed political
groups and the Hezbollah-led camp.
Rammell noted Hezbollah's increased involvement in Lebanon's ordinary political
life, with "Hezbollah [lawmakers] sitting side by side with their opponents" in
the legislative chamber.
daragahi@latimes.com
**Haidar is a special correspondent and Daragahi is a Times staff writer.